absorb
Americanverb (used with object)
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to suck up or drink in (a liquid); soak up.
A sponge absorbs water.
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to swallow up the identity or individuality of; incorporate.
The empire absorbed many small nations.
- Synonyms:
- destroy, engulf, devour, consume, assimilate
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to involve the full attention of; to engross or engage wholly.
so absorbed in a book that he did not hear the bell.
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to occupy or fill.
This job absorbs all of my time.
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to take up or receive by chemical or molecular action.
Carbonic acid is formed when water absorbs carbon dioxide.
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to take in without echo, recoil, or reflection.
to absorb sound and light; to absorb shock.
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to take in and utilize.
The market absorbed all the computers we could build. Can your brain absorb all this information?
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to pay for (costs, taxes, etc.).
The company will absorb all the research costs.
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Archaic. to swallow up.
verb
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to soak or suck up (liquids)
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to engage or occupy (the interest, attention, or time) of (someone); engross
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to receive or take in (the energy of an impact)
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physics to take in (all or part of incident radiated energy) and retain the part that is not reflected or transmitted
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to take in or assimilate; incorporate
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to accept and find a market for (goods, etc)
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to pay for as part of a commercial transaction
the distributor absorbed the cost of transport
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chem to cause to undergo a process in which one substance, usually a liquid or gas, permeates into or is dissolved by a liquid or solid Compare adsorb
porous solids absorb water
hydrochloric acid absorbs carbon dioxide
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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absorbabilitynoun
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nonabsorbabilitynoun
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preabsorbverb
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overabsorbverb (used with object)
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reabsorbverb (used with object)
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absorbableadjective
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nonabsorbableadjective
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unabsorbableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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absorbsimple
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absorbssimple
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have absorbedperfect
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has absorbedperfect
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am absorbingprogressive
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are absorbingprogressive
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is absorbingprogressive
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have been absorbingperfect progressive
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has been absorbingperfect progressive
Past
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absorbedsimple
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had absorbedperfect
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was absorbingprogressive
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were absorbingprogressive
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had been absorbingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of absorb
First recorded in 1480–90; from Latin absorbēre, from ab- ab- + sorbēre “to suck in, swallow”
Explanation
To absorb is to take in or suck up like a sponge. If you don't hear your mother calling because you are reading, you could say you were absorbed in the book. If your parents buy groceries for a party you are throwing and don't make you pay, you could say that they decided to absorb the cost of the food. Young minds absorb information easily. The word, absorbent, describes something that is capable of absorbing something else. When you go swimming on a chilly day, it's best to carry an absorbent towel so that all of the water is absorbed from the surface of your skin.
Vocabulary lists containing absorb
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 7–11
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The ACT Reading Test: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
They should consider building diversified portfolios to absorb them, said Gordon.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
On the other hand, strong productivity growth might allow firms to absorb costs they would otherwise pass on, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
“They are among the state’s most vulnerable groundwater users and have fewer pathways to adapt and less capacity to absorb new costs.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
Meanwhile, a series of quick downpours such as heavy summer showers or thunderstorms may appear to give large rainfall totals, but the rain falls faster than the soil can absorb it.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Usually, she could will herself to absorb Mariam’s derision and finger- pointing.
From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini
In the U-M setup, the material absorbs the incoming light through two pathways at the same time.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
With many years of military experience, I know what happens when you ration a scarce, aging fleet against rising demand: readiness erodes, and someone downstream absorbs the risk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
In addition, many now need to issue equity and debt, which absorbs available funds.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026
This absorbs radiation more quickly, meaning extreme melting produces an accelerating feedback effect, worsening the situation even further.
From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026
As an electron sits in the vacuum, it occasionally absorbs or spits out one of these particles, such as a photon.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
Philp said rather than the College of Policing being absorbed into the proposed National Police Service, the Home Office should be setting standards in policing.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
It has absorbed some of the tech mindset, too.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
It also reduced total cooking time and lowered the amount of oil absorbed by the fries.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026
Herbert has absorbed a lot of hits over the years, and he has leaned heavily on his arm strength too.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Matilda happened to be curled up in an arm-chair in the corner, totally absorbed in a book.
From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl
It couldn’t have been a lack of quality that prevented Hulu from pursuing the subsequent seasons: It was some of the most absorbing TV available.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
It would also avoid adding unnecessary pressure to an economy already absorbing higher energy costs and multi-decade-high Treasury yields.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Burnham spent time too as mayor absorbing people's experiences, their hardships and frustrations.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
She never finished high school, but compensated for her incomplete education by devouring books and absorbing ideas.
From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026
“I took Rulean’s place first, absorbing some of his powers, before helping Aamon and then Gamigin infiltrate and replace the other two Uncles. It wasn’t very hard at all.”
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
