suds

1 of 2

noun

ˈsədz 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: water impregnated with soap or a synthetic detergent compound and worked up into froth

also : the lather or froth on such water

2

a

: foam, froth

b

: beer

sudsless

ˈsədz-ləs 

adjective

suds

2 of 2

verb

sudsed; sudsing; sudses

transitive verb

: to wash in suds

intransitive verb

: to form suds

Synonyms

Noun

• foam
• froth
• head
• lather
• spume
• surf

Examples of suds in a Sentence

Noun

I can't seem to get any suds to form with this cheap dish detergent

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This chain emporium of craft-beer suds, wine, cocktails and pub fare plans to open its latest South Florida taproom on Jan. 31 on Southern Boulevard, roughly 3 miles west of the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre. —Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2023

And speaking of suds, guests get to select from a craft beer list highlighting producers from across the city. —Brad Japhe, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023

Verb

Because of shorter rinse times, consider using less laundry detergent in the shorter cycle to reduce sudsing. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 June 2025

Be sure to always check the instructions on the packaging before sudsing up. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from Middle Dutch sudse marsh; akin to Old English sēothan to seethe — more at seethe entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1834, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for suds

• bloods
• buds
• duds
• floods
• muds
• spuds
• studs
• thuds

Kids Definition

suds

1 of 2 plural noun

ˈsədz 

1

: soapy water especially when frothy

2

: the froth on soapy water

suds

2 of 2 verb

: to form suds