soap
Soap (noun) means a substance used with water to clean the skin or other surfaces. Example: “Wash your hands with soap for at least twenty seconds.”
How to Use Soap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe cleaning product used with water, or slang for a melodramatic TV series.
Word Forms
soaped past tense, soaps plural, soaps singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Wash your hands with _____ for at least twenty seconds.
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does “soap” mean?
The word “soap” means a substance used with water to clean the skin or other surfaces. In plain terms, the cleaning product used with water, or slang for a melodramatic TV series.
How do you pronounce “soap”?
“Soap” is pronounced sohp (/soʊp/ in IPA).
How do you use “soap” in a sentence?
Here is “soap” used in a sentence: “Wash your hands with soap for at least twenty seconds.”
What part of speech is “soap”?
Depending on how it is used, “soap” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “soap” a common word?
“Soap” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “soap” have?
“Soap” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance used with water to clean the skin or other surfaces.
What is the difference between "soap" and "detergent"?
"Soap" is a cleaning substance traditionally used with water to wash skin and surfaces. "Detergent" is a broader term for synthetic cleaning agents, often used for laundry and dishes, so all soaps clean, but many modern cleaners are detergents rather than true soap.
What is the difference between "soap" and "body wash"?
"Soap" often refers to a solid bar used with water to clean the skin, while "body wash" is a liquid cleanser applied with a cloth or the hands. Both clean the skin, but "soap" also names the cleaning substance in general, not only the bar form.