First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1soak
verb \ˈsōk\
: to put (something) in a liquid for a period of time
: to take a long bath
: to make (someone or something) very wet with water or another liquid
Full Definition of SOAK
intransitive verb
1
: to lie immersed in liquid (as water) : become saturated by or as if by immersion
2
a : to enter or pass through something by or as if by pores or interstices : permeate b : to penetrate or affect the mind or feelings —usually used with in or into
3
: to drink alcoholic beverages intemperately
transitive verb
1
: to permeate so as to wet, soften, or fill thoroughly
2
: to place in a surrounding element (as liquid) to wet or permeate thoroughly
3
: to extract by or as if by steeping <soak the dirt out>
4
a : to draw or take in by or as if by suction or absorption <soaked up the sunshine> b : to intoxicate (oneself) by drinking alcoholic beverages
5
: to cause to pay an exorbitant amount
— soak·er noun
See soak defined for English-language learners
See soak defined for kids
Origin of SOAK
Middle English soken, from Old English socian; akin to Old English sūcan to suck
Related to SOAK
- Antonyms
- wring (out)
Synonym Discussion of SOAK
soak, saturate, drench, steep, impregnate mean to permeate or be permeated with a liquid. soak implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing <soak the garment in soapy water>. saturate implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held <a saturated sponge>. drench implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured <clothes drenched by a cloudburst>. steep suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (as a color) to the thing immersed <steep the tea for five minutes>. impregnate implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another <a cake strongly impregnated with brandy>.
2soak
noun
: an act of letting something stay in a liquid for a long time in order to soften or clean it
: a long bath
Full Definition of SOAK
1
2
: drunkard
3
slang : 2pawn 2
See soak defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SOAK
15th century
SOAK[1] Defined for Kids
1soak
verb \ˈsōk\
soakedsoak·ing
Definition of SOAK for Kids
1
: to lie covered with liquid <He soaked in the tub.>
2
: to place in a liquid to wet or as if to wet thoroughly <Soak the beans in water.>
3
: to make very wet <The rain soaked us.>
4
: to enter or pass through something by or as if by tiny holes : permeate <The water soaked into the ground.>
5
: to draw in by or as if by absorption <The rag soaked up the spill.> <She soaked up the sunshine.>
2soak
noun
Definition of SOAK for Kids
1
: the act or process of letting something stay in a liquid for a long time to soften or clean it
2
: a long bath
Medical Dictionary
soak
noun \ˈsōk\
Medical Definition of SOAK
: an often hot medicated solution with which a body part is soaked usually long or repeatedly especially to promote healing, relieve pain, or stimulate local circulation
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