WordGarden.ioabsorb
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /əbsˈɔːb/
US
- /əbˈzɔrb/
Meanings
Verb
to take in liquid, heat, light, sound, or force so it is held or reduced
to take in and understand information, ideas, or experience
to take up someone's full attention or interest
More meaningsFewer meanings
to incorporate a person, group, or thing into a larger whole
to take on a cost, loss, or extra demand without passing it on
Beyond the definition
Like a sponge absorbs water, to absorb means to soak something up—whether it's liquid, information, or even an experience! A paper towel absorbs spills, your mind absorbs knowledge when you study, and sometimes, a powerful story just absorbs you completely.
You can absorb heat from the sun, absorb a lesson from a mistake, or even absorb the atmosphere of a new place. It's about taking something in fully, letting it become part of you, or being taken over by it. Think of how a dark color absorbs light—it doesn't reflect it back!
Absorb can also mean to handle something without passing it along: a company might absorb extra costs or losses instead of raising prices, and a material like foam can absorb sound or shock.
To absorb means to take something in completely, whether physically or mentally. It has several related meanings depending on the context.
Physically, absorb refers to soaking up a liquid, gas, or other substance. A sponge absorbs water, charcoal absorbs toxins, and soil absorbs rainwater. This is often described as "taking in" or "soaking up." For example: "The towel quickly absorbed the spilled juice."
Absorb can also describe taking in or reducing energy. Dark surfaces absorb heat and light; foam can absorb sound; and padding can absorb shock by reducing the force of an impact.
However, absorb also describes mental intake. When you absorb information, you understand it and integrate it into your knowledge base. "She absorbed everything the teacher said during the lecture." It can also mean to be completely engrossed in something—a captivating book might "absorb all your attention," or a beautiful landscape might absorb you completely.
Figuratively, absorb can describe taking on costs or consequences. A company might "absorb" losses, meaning it accepts them without passing them on to customers. It can also mean to incorporate something into a larger whole: a larger organization might absorb a smaller one through a merger, or a community might absorb newcomers over time.
So whether it's a physical process of soaking up, a mental act of understanding, or an acceptance of responsibility—to absorb is about taking something fully into oneself, becoming filled with it, or being completely taken over by it.
Examples
- 1
Everyday objects
This towel can absorb a lot of water.
- 2
Heat
Dark surfaces absorb more heat from the sun.
- 3
News reaction
It took me a few minutes to absorb the news.
- 4
Language learning
Young children absorb new languages very quickly.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Training
The training was useful, but it was hard to absorb so much information in one day.
- 6
Full attention
I was completely absorbed in the film and forgot to check my phone.
- Patternabsorbed in + activity/story
giving all your attention to it
- 7
Business costs
The company said it would absorb the extra costs instead of raising prices.
- Patternabsorb costs
pay them without passing them on to someone else
- 8
Population growth
The city is trying to absorb thousands of new residents each year.
- Patternabsorb people
find space, jobs, and services for them
- 9
Organization change
After the merger, the smaller team was absorbed into the main department.
- Patternabsorbed into + larger group/system
made part of it
See also
Similar
- soak up
- take in
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- absorb water
- absorb heat
- absorb light
- absorb shock
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- absorbverb
Forms
- absorbedpast tenseverb
- absorbing-ing formverb
- absorbsverb