absorb

The word “absorb” means to soak up a liquid, gas, or other substance. In plain terms, to take something in fully — a liquid into a sponge, an impact into a cushion, a cost into a budget, or attention into a good book.

“Absorb” is pronounced uhb-ZAWB (/æbˈsɔɹb/ in IPA).

Here is “absorb” used in a sentence: “The towel quickly absorbed the spilled water.”

Words with a similar meaning to “absorb” include bear, pay for and take in.

The opposite of “absorb” — its antonyms — is emit.

“Absorb” is a verb.

The word “absorb” comes from Latin. From Latin absorbeo, "to swallow up," combining ab- ("from") with sorbeo ("to suck in"), from an ancient root meaning "to sip.".

“Absorb” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

"Absorb" means to soak up a substance so it is taken into and distributed through the interior of a material, like a sponge soaking up water. "Adsorb" is a distinct scientific term meaning a substance sticks only to the surface of another material, without penetrating it.

When a business absorbs a cost, it takes on that expense itself rather than passing it on to customers, so others don't have to pay it. This usage extends the core sense of "absorb" as taking something in, applied to finances.

"Absorbed" typically describes a person's state of being fully occupied by something, as in "absorbed in a book," describing the person affected. "Absorbing" describes the thing itself as capable of holding attention, as in "an absorbing story," describing the source of interest.

Yes, "absorb" can mean to take in and reduce the force of an impact, sound, or shock, such as a padded surface absorbing a fall. This is a distinct sense from soaking up liquid, though both involve taking something in and containing its effect.