soak

verb

ˈsōk 

soaked; soaking; soaks

intransitive verb

1

: to lie immersed in liquid (such as water) : become saturated by or as if by immersion

2

a

: to enter or pass through something by or as if by pores or interstices : permeate

b

: to penetrate or affect the mind or feelings

—usually used with in or into

3

: to drink alcoholic beverages intemperately

transitive verb

1

: to permeate so as to wet, soften, or fill thoroughly

2

: to place in a surrounding element (such as liquid) to wet or permeate thoroughly

3

: to extract by or as if by steeping

soak the dirt out

4

a

: to draw or take in by or as if by suction or absorption

soaked up the sunshine

b

: to intoxicate (oneself) by drinking alcoholic beverages

5

: to cause to pay an exorbitant amount

soaker noun

Synonyms of soak

• saturate
• drown
• drench
• macerate
• immerse
• impregnate
• steep
• wash
• submerge
• dip

Choose the Right Synonym for soak

soak, saturate, drench, steep, impregnate mean to permeate or be permeated with a liquid.

soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing.

soak the garment in soapy water

saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held.

a saturated sponge

drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured.

clothes drenched by a cloudburst

steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (such as a color) to the thing immersed.

steep the tea for five minutes

impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another.

a cake strongly impregnated with brandy

Examples of soak in a Sentence

You should soak those dirty clothes before you wash them.

The beans soaked in water overnight.

He relaxed and soaked in the tub.

After planting the seeds, soak the soil.

She soaked the dog with the hose.

His shirt was soaked with sweat.

I was soaked by the rain.

The oil soaked into the wood.

Sweat soaked through his shirt.

Rain soaked through her jacket.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chemical sunscreens, however, are designed to soak into the skin and work by creating a chemical reaction that absorbs ultraviolet radiation as energy, dispersing it as heat. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

The Bath Butler readies a private outdoor soaking tub infused with botanicals, waiting for your arrival at your bungalow. —Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 9 June 2026

We were put up in Treehouse Tamandua, a stunning villa suspended above the jungle canopy, equipped with a dual shower, natural stone interior, king bed, and open deck with a soaking tub and porch swing bed. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 8 June 2026

Many of the supporters of Team Algeria were soaked from steady rain that fell on Lawrence Sunday evening. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English soken, from Old English socian; akin to Old English sūcan to suck

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing soak

• soak in
• soak up
• water-soak

Rhymes for soak

• bloke
• boeck
• broke
• choke
• cloak
• cloke
• croak
• folk
• hoke
• joke
• moke
• oak

Kids Definition

soak

1 of 2 verb

ˈsōk 

1

a

: to lie covered with a liquid

b

: to place in a liquid to wet or as if to wet thoroughly

2

a

: to enter or pass through something by or as if by pores : permeate

b

: to penetrate or affect the mind or feelings

3

: to draw out by or as if by steeping

soak the dirt out

4

: to draw in by or as if by suction or absorption

soaked up the sunshine

5

: to cause to pay too much

soaker noun

soak

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or process of soaking : the state of being soaked

2

: drunkard

Medical Definition

soak

noun

ˈsōk 

: an often hot medicated solution with which a body part is soaked usually long or repeatedly especially to promote healing, relieve pain, or stimulate local circulation