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 Ingleton recommends washing your lips with a gentle soap-free cleanser and then applying a lip balm before heading outside and at bedtime. — Samantha Driscoll, Better Homes & Gardens, "These Are the Lip Care Products You Need, According to Dermatologists," 29 Oct. 2020 Diet drinks taste like dirt; soap and laundry detergent smell like stagnant water or ammonia. — New York Times, "Some Covid Survivors Haunted by Loss of Smell and Taste," 2 Jan. 2021 One is purchasing nonedible shelf-stable goods like soap and paper towels, shipped from faraway fulfillment centers without the need for refrigeration. — Washington Post, "In 2020, we reached peak Internet. Here’s what worked — and what flopped.," 28 Dec. 2020 Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available. Designate a space for guests to wash hands after handling or eating food. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, "Thanksgiving 2020: CDC tips to help you celebrate safely during coronavirus," 12 Nov. 2020 The soap is certified cruelty-free, and is formulated without parabens, sulfates or formaldehydes. — Tessa Bahoosh, USA TODAY, "31 of the best gifts you can buy from QVC," 10 Nov. 2020 Officials across Colorado are repeating that soap, water and basic hygiene practices are the public’s best defense against the virus. — Conrad Swanson, The Denver Post, "Hand sanitizer growing scarce amid coronavirus scare, but health officials say you’re better off with soap and water," 3 Mar. 2020 Cut the vinegar with dish soap and water to clean kitchen counters. — Mary Schmich, chicagotribune.com, "Column: As the light returns, it’s time to make a list of what we’ve missed, and appreciated, in this dark year," 18 Dec. 2020 Also on Wednesday, Coborn’s Inc. imposed limits on toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, aluminum foil and liquid hand soap. — John Ewoldt, Star Tribune, "Little sign of major shortages at Twin Cities grocery stores," 22 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb 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, "'Gangs of London': On the Set of Gareth Evans' "Shakespearean," "Operatic" and "Very, Very Violent" TV Debut," 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, "Why Incarcerated People Are Being Let Out Of Jail Amid The Coronavirus Outbreak," 18 Mar. 2020 But all that soaping up, as well as dry air, can lead to ultra-dry skin. — Jessica Kasparian, USA TODAY, "Washing your hands a lot? These 10 creams revive your skin," 4 Mar. 2020 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

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

21 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Soap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap. Accessed 28 Jan. 2021.

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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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