soil
word
/ˈsɔɪɫ/
soyl
/sˈɔɪl/
soyl
Definition
The top layer of the earth where plants grow. It can also mean the land of a particular country or area, especially in more formal contexts.
Usage & Nuances
Most commonly, 'soil' means earth used for growing plants. In everyday speech, people often say 'dirt' for loose earth, but 'soil' is more correct in gardening and science. Common collocations include 'rich soil', 'dry soil', 'soil erosion', and 'on foreign soil'.
Spanish: suelo - tierraPortuguese (BR): solo - terraPortuguese (PT): solo - terraChinese (Simplified): 土壤 - 土地Chinese (Traditional): 土壤 - 土地Hindi: मिट्टी - भूमिArabic: تربة - أرضBengali: মাটিRussian: почва - земля (территория)Japanese: 土Vietnamese: đấtKorean: 토양Turkish: toprakUrdu: مٹیIndonesian: tanah
Example Sentences
The village was built on rocky soil, so farming was hard.
natural
The plant grows well in wet soil.
basic
The rain made the soil soft.
basic
Farmers check the soil before planting.
basic
These tomatoes do better in rich soil.
natural
The troops finally returned to home soil after months abroad.
natural