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to absorb

to absorb

217 3.0
To take in things such as liquid, light, or information
  • verb
  • /əbˈzɔrb/
translation icon : absorber
  • Velvet was a fabric of choice because of its ability to absorb light and give off a cool quality.
  • absorb water
  • absorb light
  • absorb energy

It's to learn, it's to absorb, to be a sponge, right?

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Examples

  • And the icing did absorb most of the smoke.

  • We do know, however, that information is best absorbed when we have a problem to solve.

    Academic text (1991)
  • So does this material or the sun absorb light easier?

  • But those molecules will still absorb some of that light.

  • So you can absorb some of these rays and save that heat for winter.

  • And finally, they help digest and absorb nutrients.

  • Because children are more impressionable than adults, children absorb foreign cultures as parts of their own emerging culture.

    Academic text (2008)
  • We end up by the river, its crimson waters absorbing light rather than reflecting it.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Phytoplankton contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light in the blue and red.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The sponge can absorb water quickly and efficiently during cleaning.

Synonyms

to suck
vsto absorb
337 1.0

To pull liquid into the mouth, for example with a straw

is the broader receiving action not limited to vacuum processes
to draw
vsto absorb
256 3.0

Get information or lessons from a source

is the act of taking in matter, energy, or ideas directly
to consume
vsto absorb
149 2.4

To eat or drink something

covers many kinds of intake beyond physical food and drink
to soak
vsto absorb
141 1.0

Make something very wet by putting it into water or other liquid

includes wetting but also nonliquid forms of taking in
to ingest
vsto absorb
68 3.6

To eat or drink something so it goes into your body

is wider, applying to liquids, energy, and abstract ideas too
to digest
vsto absorb
45 4.5

To think about new information until you understand it

is the initial intake action rather than the later processing step
to take in
vsto absorb
37 3.2

Understand new information or ideas

is wider, covering physical soaking and nonmental forms of intake
to assimilate
vsto absorb
22 5.5

Take in and understand new ideas or information

focuses on the act of taking in rather than full understanding
to suck up
vsto absorb
22 4.3

To take in liquid or information

is more neutral and covers formal and informal intake contexts
to soak up
vsto absorb
  • Informal
16 3.9

To take in and enjoy the atmosphere or information

is a broader process of taking in various materials or ideas
to imbibe
vsto absorb
9 7.4

Drink alcohol or absorb ideas and knowledge

is neutral and applies to many literal and figurative uptake situations
to drink in
vsto absorb
7 5.1

To look at or listen to something with full attention and enjoy it

is the broader action of receiving substances, energy, or information
to take up
vsto absorb
7 3.2

To soak up liquid or learn and keep new information

is the general process of taking in rather than this accepting focus
to soak up knowledge
vsto absorb
  • Informal
1 4.0

To take in new information quickly and easily

is the general action of taking in substances or ideas broadly
to sponge up
vsto absorb
1 3.7

To take liquid from a surface using something like a cloth

covers many ways of taking in, not only with an absorbent object
to osmose
vsto absorb
9.0

Slowly and without noticing, people get ideas or habits from others

is the general taking-in action, not necessarily slow or unconscious
to sop up
vsto absorb
3.7

To take in liquid or things like information and feelings

is broader, including many materials and metaphorical intake types

Antonyms

149 3.6

The act of letting a liquid, gas, or energy flow out

91 4.4

Send out light, heat, sound or gas

34 5.0

Push out a substance, for example gas from a body or container

How Absorbent

to saturate
55 5.2
to absorb
217 3.0
to take in
35 3.0

Surface Forms

absorb infinitive
absorbed past
absorbed past participle
absorbing present participle
absorbs third person singular

Etymology

Absorb comes from the Latin parts ad- 'to' and sorbere 'to suck in', so imagine a sponge sucking up water. So to absorb something is to take it in, whether it is liquid, light, or information.