soap
sohp
Soap (noun) means a substance used with water to clean the skin or other surfaces. Example: “I bought a bar of lavender soap from the market.”
noun
1
A substance used with water to clean the skin or other surfaces.
"I bought a bar of lavender soap from the market."
"The soap slipped out of my wet hands and into the bath."
"Wash your hands with soap for at least twenty seconds."
2
Informal short form of "soap opera," a long-running dramatic TV series.
"Mum and I watch the same soap together every evening."
"That soap has been on television for as long as I can remember."
"My grandmother never misses her afternoon soap."
verb
1
To rub soap onto something, usually to wash it.
"She soaped the dog's back while he stood patiently in the tub."
"Soap your hands well, then rinse them under the tap."
"He soaped up the car before rinsing it with the hose."
How to use soap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe cleaning product used with water, or slang for a melodramatic TV series.
Common pairings
bar of soap
soap and water
watch a soap
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Word forms
- Plural
- soaps
- Third person singular
- soaps
- Past tense
- soaped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I bought a bar of lavender _____ from the market.
Etymology
Probably an abbreviation of sodium pentothal.
Related words
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.
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