soap

\ ˈsōp

Definition of soap

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a cleansing and emulsifying agent made usually by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids and consisting essentially of sodium or potassium salts of such acids

b : a salt of a fatty acid and a metal

2 : soap opera

soap

verb

soaped; soaping; soaps

Definition of soap (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to rub soap over or into

2 : flatter

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about soap

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Examples of soap in a Sentence

Noun Make sure you use soap and water to wash your hands. The store sells many different brands of liquid soaps. Her first acting job was on a soap. Verb I soap my hair first when I take a shower. He soaped and rinsed the car.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In June, the Trump administration went to federal court and argued that it should not be required to give migrant children soap, toothbrushes or showers. — Jen Christensen, CNN, "Senators: It's 'immoral and irresponsible' not to vaccinate migrants in CBP custody," 9 Sep. 2019 One of the judges then asked whether there could be an instance when a person didn’t need a toothbrush and soap for days. — Washington Post, "Panel hears case on conditions for young migrants on border," 19 June 2019 Vitamin E acetate is found in lotions, shave gels, lip balms, shampoos, soaps, and anti-aging creams, as well as oral supplements. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Vitamin E acetate found in all lung fluid samples tested from injured vapers," 8 Nov. 2019 There, customers can fill reusable containers with shampoo, soap, and other household items. — Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage women, united by passion for reducing plastic waste, open bulk-goods ‘refillery’ store," 3 Nov. 2019 The Sanimax plant in South St. Paul takes animal by-products and used cooking oils, and recycles them into soap, animal feeds and industrial chemicals. — Bob Shaw, Twin Cities, "Phew! Stinky Newport lashes out against Sanimax," 23 Oct. 2019 Oil pressed separately from the kernels inside the fruit is more saturated -- and thus semi-solid at room temperature -- and is used to make soaps, cosmetics and detergents. — Washington Post, "Can Palm Oil Demand Be Met Without Ruining Rainforests?," 16 Dec. 2019 Avoid true soaps, which have an alkaline pH and can irritate the skin, preventing it from being able to retain hydration. — Stephanie Saltzman, Allure, "7 Dry-Skin Mistakes You're Probably Still Making in the Winter, According to Dermatologists," 15 Dec. 2019 Those who qualify for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) cannot use those funds to purchase basic needs like toothpaste, bar soap, or feminine hygiene products. — Elizabeth Montgomery, azcentral, "Nonprofit shows that what you can fit in a shoebox can go a long way," 11 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb All very innocent — moving lawn furniture a block down the street, soaping windows, leaving stink bombs on porches (homemade, nonchemical, nonexplosive types) and moving outhouses. — John Kelly, Washington Post, "We celebrate Halloween. But old-timers remember Beggar’s Night on Oct. 30.," 30 Oct. 2019 At Halloween, kids soaped her windows and littered her porch with corn (a prank popular among rural Midwestern youths). — Tony Rehagen, BostonGlobe.com, "A Holocaust survivor built a remarkable monument to hope and memory. Now that she’s gone, who will remind us?," 16 Aug. 2019 When each shift of migrants had finished eating—a good meal of frijoles and some kind of stew, with salsa and hot fresh tortillas on the side—the volunteers soaped dishes in a plastic tub, while the next batch waited outside on the sidewalk. — Colin Barrett, Harper's magazine, "“Just Keep Going North”," 5 July 2019 Bush soaped down her new stepchildren and outfitted them with her own kids’ clothes. — Gillian Brockell, Washington Post, "Abraham Lincoln’s ‘angel mother’ and the second ‘mama’ who outlived him," 12 May 2018 Justin Jones was soaping his 309-pound body when his phone rang. — Dan Woike, latimes.com, "Chargers break down where they improved most in the NFL draft and why they didn't draft a quarterback," 29 Apr. 2018 Kids strung ropes across sidewalks to trip people in the dark, tied the doorknobs of opposing apartments together, mowed down shrubs, upset swill barrels, rattled or soaped windows, and, once, filled the streets of Catalina Island with boats. — Lesley Bannatyne, Smithsonian, "When Halloween Was All Tricks and No Treats," 27 Oct. 2017 Wait for the drop while getting soaped up: This party involves fives hours of EDM music, thousands of gallons of foam, flashing lights, and roughly 7,000 people. — Tarpley Hitt, Philly.com, "The world's largest foam party and three other things to do down the shore, June 30-July 2," 28 June 2017 In the 1950s and 1960s, Bradley Group Showers marketed its water-saving column showers with posters of topless schoolboys happily soaping down together. — J.y. Chua, The Atlantic, "Bathing in Controversy," 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'soap.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Soap.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap. Accessed 21 January 2020.

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More Definitions for soap

soap

noun

English Language Learners Definition of soap

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a substance that is used for washing something

soap

verb

English Language Learners Definition of soap (Entry 2 of 2)

: to rub soap over or into (someone or something)

See the full definition for soap in the English Language Learners Dictionary

soap

noun

\ ˈsōp

Kids Definition of soap

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a substance that is used for washing

soap

verb

soaped; soaping

Kids Definition of soap (Entry 2 of 2)

: to rub a cleaning substance over or into something

soap

noun

\ ˈsōp

Medical Definition of soap

1 : a cleansing and emulsifying agent made usually by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids and consisting essentially of sodium or potassium salts of such acids

2 : a salt of a fatty acid and a metal

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