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soak

Pronunciation: /səʊk/

Translate soak | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of soak

verb

[with object]
  • 1make or allow (something) to become thoroughly wet by immersing it in liquid:soak the beans overnight in water
  • [no object] be immersed in water or another liquid:she spent some time soaking in a hot bath
  • (of a liquid) cause (something or someone) to become extremely wet:the rain poured down, soaking their hair
  • [no object, with adverbial of direction] (of a liquid) penetrate or permeate completely:cold water was soaking into my shoes
  • (soak something off/out) remove something by immersing it in water for a period of time:don’t disturb the wound—soak the dressing off if necessary
  • 2 informal impose heavy charges or taxation on:VAT would not soak the rich—it would soak the everyday guy struggling to stay afloat
  • 3 [no object] archaic, informal drink heavily:you keep soaking in taverns

noun

  • 1an act of immersing someone or something in liquid for a period of time:I’m looking forward to a long soak in the bath
  • 2 informal a heavy drinker:his daughter stayed up to put the old soak to bed
  • 3Australian a hollow where rainwater collects; a waterhole.

Phrasal Verbs

soak oneself in

immerse oneself in (a particular experience, activity, or interest):he soaked himself in the music of Mozart

soak something up

absorb a liquid:use clean tissues to soak up any droplets of water
expose oneself to or experience something beneficial or enjoyable:lie back and soak up the Mediterranean sun he spends his time painting and soaking up the culture
informal cost or use up money:the project had soaked up over £1 billion

Derivatives

soakage

noun

soaker

noun

Origin:

Old English socian 'become saturated with a liquid by immersion'; related to sūcan 'to suck'

soak in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of soak in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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