1
a
: 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
Synonyms
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
Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2023
This is coupled with good hand hygiene, including washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer when hand washing isn't available.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2023
While soap brows have been trending since the pandemic, Spanish singer Rosalía just turned the volume (and her brows) all the way up for the Latin Grammy Awards.
—Glamour, 17 Nov. 2023
Recipients are barred from using SNAP benefits for products such as pet food, alcohol, and household items such as paper and soap.
—Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2023
The sheriff also agreed to place high-risk people in more protective housing, to expand access to testing, to distribute masks consistent with federal health standards and to ensure regular access to soaps and cleaning supplies.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Nov. 2023
And when they’re done, there’s an auto clean function that will clean the interior with a little warm water and soap.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2023
Irritants may include soaps and detergents.7 Ingredients in makeup and skincare products might trigger symptoms in people with facial eczema.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 14 Nov. 2023
Very lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with water and mild soap for leather cases.
—Fox News, 14 Nov. 2023
Genevieve Ko, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
There’s also no need to soap yourself up twice in one day, my cousin reminds me.
—Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 21 July 2023
The Labigo Cordless Spin Scrubber makes cleaning easy, according to shoppers, eliminating the need to hunch over the bathtub and tirelessly tend to soap scum and hard water stains.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2023
This high-efficiency appliance has a unique two-stage detergent dispenser that releases soap in two different stages for more efficient cleaning power.
—Camryn Rabideau, Popular Mechanics, 25 Jan. 2023
Fill a large bucket or basin up with water, then use a cup to pour the water over your head once or twice to get wet and soap up, and another scoop or two to rinse off.
—Kaelyn Lynch, Outside Online, 25 Apr. 2021
Some chose to soap up the bottoms of their tube, while others extended their arms and legs in hopes of being aerodynamic.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 5 July 2021
The original idea had also been bolstered by Ochoa’s own pre-filmmaking experience as a journalist wondering what went on behind the frosted glass and soaped up windows of north London’s secretive-looking Greek and Turkish social clubs.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2020
While not as effective as soap, hand sanitizer provides quick and easy cleaning should soap and water not be readily available.
—Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2020
See More
Noun
To use, dilute ¼ cup of soap per one gallon of water before mopping.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2023
This is coupled with good hand hygiene, including washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer when hand washing isn't available.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2023
While soap brows have been trending since the pandemic, Spanish singer Rosalía just turned the volume (and her brows) all the way up for the Latin Grammy Awards.
—Glamour, 17 Nov. 2023
Recipients are barred from using SNAP benefits for products such as pet food, alcohol, and household items such as paper and soap.
—Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2023
The sheriff also agreed to place high-risk people in more protective housing, to expand access to testing, to distribute masks consistent with federal health standards and to ensure regular access to soaps and cleaning supplies.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Nov. 2023
And when they’re done, there’s an auto clean function that will clean the interior with a little warm water and soap.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2023
Irritants may include soaps and detergents.7 Ingredients in makeup and skincare products might trigger symptoms in people with facial eczema.
—Anthea Levi, Health, 14 Nov. 2023
Very lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with water and mild soap for leather cases.
—Fox News, 14 Nov. 2023
Verb
Set up an assembly line from soaping and scrubbing to rinsing to drying.
—Genevieve Ko, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
There’s also no need to soap yourself up twice in one day, my cousin reminds me.
—Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 21 July 2023
The Labigo Cordless Spin Scrubber makes cleaning easy, according to shoppers, eliminating the need to hunch over the bathtub and tirelessly tend to soap scum and hard water stains.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2023
This high-efficiency appliance has a unique two-stage detergent dispenser that releases soap in two different stages for more efficient cleaning power.
—Camryn Rabideau, Popular Mechanics, 25 Jan. 2023
Fill a large bucket or basin up with water, then use a cup to pour the water over your head once or twice to get wet and soap up, and another scoop or two to rinse off.
—Kaelyn Lynch, Outside Online, 25 Apr. 2021
Some chose to soap up the bottoms of their tube, while others extended their arms and legs in hopes of being aerodynamic.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 5 July 2021
The original idea had also been bolstered by Ochoa’s own pre-filmmaking experience as a journalist wondering what went on behind the frosted glass and soaped up windows of north London’s secretive-looking Greek and Turkish social clubs.
—Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Apr. 2020
While not as effective as soap, hand sanitizer provides quick and easy cleaning should soap and water not be readily available.
—Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, 18 Mar. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'soap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing soap
Articles Related to soap
Dictionary Entries Near soap
Cite this Entry
“Soap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
soap
1 of 2 noun1
: a substance that is usually made by the action of alkali on fat, dissolves in water, and is used for washing
2
: a salt of a fatty acid
3
soap
2 of 2 verb
: to rub soap over or into
Medical Definition
soap
noun1
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on soap
Nglish: Translation of soap for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of soap for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about soap
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