sap
sap
Sap (noun) means the watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients. Example: “Maple sap is boiled down for hours to make syrup.”
noun
1
The watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients.
"Maple sap is boiled down for hours to make syrup."
"The tree oozed sticky sap where the branch had broken off."
"In spring the sap rises in the trees and the buds begin to swell."
2
A gullible or easily fooled person.
"Don't be such a sap — that deal is obviously a scam."
"Only a sap would believe a stranger who promises easy money for nothing."
"He felt like a complete sap when he realised the prize was fake."
3
A small, weighted club, often leather-covered, used as a hand weapon.
"The security guard carried a sap tucked into his belt."
"The museum displayed an old leather sap next to a police whistle."
"In the film, the night watchman kept a sap in his coat pocket."
verb
1
To gradually drain someone's strength, energy, or resolve.
"The long commute sapped her energy before the workday even began."
"Years of overwork had sapped his enthusiasm for the job."
"The summer heat sapped our strength, so we rested in the shade."
How to use sap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often the liquid inside a plant, or (as a verb) to slowly wear something down.
Common mistake
As a noun for "a foolish person," it's old-fashioned slang — mostly heard in vintage films and books rather than everyday speech.
Common pairings
sap someone's strength
maple sap
what a sap
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Word forms
- Plural
- saps
- Third person singular
- saps
- Past tense
- sapped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Maple _____ is boiled down for hours to make syrup.
Etymology
From Old English "saep" ("juice, sap"), from a Proto-Germanic root related to taste; the "gullible person" sense comes from "sapskull," literally someone with sap instead of brains.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sap” mean?
The word “sap” means the watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients. In plain terms, most often the liquid inside a plant, or (as a verb) to slowly wear something down.
How do you pronounce “sap”?
“Sap” is pronounced sap (/sæp/ in IPA).
How do you use “sap” in a sentence?
Here is “sap” used in a sentence: “Maple sap is boiled down for hours to make syrup.”
What part of speech is “sap”?
Depending on how it is used, “sap” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sap” come from?
The word “sap” comes from Old English. From Old English "saep" ("juice, sap"), from a Proto-Germanic root related to taste; the "gullible person" sense comes from "sapskull," literally someone with sap instead of brains.
Is “sap” a common word?
“Sap” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “sap” have?
“Sap” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the watery fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying nutrients.
What is the difference between sap and resin in plants?
Sap is the watery fluid that circulates through a plant carrying nutrients, functioning much like blood does in animals, while resin is a thicker, stickier substance some plants, especially conifers, produce mainly for protection and sealing wounds. Sap moves internally through the plant's tissues; resin is often exuded externally.
What does it mean to call someone a sap?
Calling someone a "sap" is an informal, somewhat dated way of describing a gullible or easily fooled person. It is typically used to mock someone for being naive rather than as a serious insult.
What does it mean to sap someone's energy?
To "sap" someone's energy, strength, or resolve means to gradually drain it away, often without the person immediately noticing. The verb suggests a slow, weakening effect rather than a sudden loss.
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