soap

noun

\ 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

The rooms provide space to put bags, and many of the rooms have a sink with soap, according to the Working Moms of Milwaukee website. — Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'It is time to normalize breastfeeding': Menomonee Falls companies get Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace awards," 9 July 2019 Should anyone be exposed, the MDEQ instructs people to immediately wash with soap and water. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Mississippi Beaches Close Due to Toxic Blue-Green Algae Bloom," 9 July 2019 As Harold McGee explained in the New York Times some years back, that comparison makes sense given that cilantro’s aroma shares some of its flavor substances with soap. — Becky Krystal, Twin Cities, "How to manage — or even conquer — hatred of cilantro," 9 July 2019 Wash hands with soap and water after coming in contact with animals or anything in their environment, especially animal feces. — Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, "Here's every Indiana county where poop-borne parasite Cryptosporidiosis has been reported," 9 July 2019 As Harold McGee explained in the New York Times some years back, that comparison makes sense given that cilantro’s aroma shares some of its flavor substances with soap. — Becky Krystal, Washington Post, "How to manage — or even conquer! — your cilantro hatred," 8 July 2019 If a person is exposed, CDC officials recommend washing the wounds and cuts thoroughly with soap or water. — Lillian Reed, baltimoresun.com, "A mom said her son was infected with Vibrio bacteria in Ocean City. Here's how to avoid the same fate.," 5 July 2019 Wash them once a week with gentle soap and warm water, and then set them on a table to dry with the brush end hanging off the edge. — Jolene Edgar, Health.com, "When to Throw Away Your Makeup, According to a Dermatologist," 2 July 2019 Hand washing with soap and water is the most effective way to prevent infection. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, "A 6-year-old boy is latest fair-linked E. coli case in San Diego," 2 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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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Dictionary Entries near soap

Statistics for soap

Last Updated

14 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for soap

The first known use of soap was before the 12th century

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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