absorb
word
/əbˈzɔɹb/
/ɐbsˈɔːb/
Definition
To take in or soak up a liquid, energy, or information. It can be used for physical things (like a sponge with water) or for understanding ideas.
Usage & Nuances
Common with liquids and 'absorb sunlight', 'absorb information'. Often used in both science and everyday speech. Don't confuse with 'adsorb', which means to collect on the surface. Can be used metaphorically for taking in knowledge or emotions.
Spanish: absorberPortuguese (BR): absorverPortuguese (PT): absorverChinese (Simplified): 吸收Chinese (Traditional): 吸收Hindi: सोखनाArabic: يمتصBengali: শোষণ করা - গ্রহণ করাRussian: поглощать - впитыватьJapanese: 吸収するVietnamese: hấp thụ - thấm - tiếp thuKorean: 흡수하다 - 받아들이다Turkish: emmek - içine çekmek - özümsemekUrdu: جذب کرنا - جذب ہوناIndonesian: menyerap - menyerapkan
Example Sentences
Dark colors absorb more heat than light colors.
natural
A sponge can absorb a lot of water.
basic
Plants absorb sunlight to make food.
basic
This towel does not absorb water well.
basic
He likes to sit quietly and absorb everything around him.
natural
Good listeners can quickly absorb new information.
natural