plural soaps
1
: a substance that is used for washing something
Make sure you use soap and water to wash your hands.
a bar of soap
dish/laundry soap [=detergent]
soap bubbles/scum
a soap dish/dispenser
The store sells many different brands of liquid/hand/antibacterial soaps.
2
informal
: soap opera
Her first acting job was on a soap.
a soap star
soaps; soaped; soaping
: to rub soap over or into (someone or something)
I soap my hair/body first when I take a shower.
He soaped and rinsed the car.
—often + upHe soaped up the car.
Cite this Entry
“Soap.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/soap. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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