absorbent

American  

[ab-sawr-buhnt, -zawr-] / æbˈsɔr bənt, -ˈzɔr- /

adjective

1. capable of absorbing heat, light, moisture, etc.; tending to absorb.

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noun

1. something that absorbs.

   Tons of high-powered absorbents were needed to clean up the oil spill.

absorbent British  

/ əbˈsɔːbənt, -ˈzɔː- /

adjective

1. able to absorb

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noun

1. a substance that absorbs

Other Word Forms

• absorbency
  noun
• nonabsorbency
  noun
• nonabsorbent
  adjective
• preabsorbent
  adjective
• semiabsorbent
  adjective
• unabsorbent
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of absorbent

First recorded in 1710–20, absorbent is from the Latin word absorbent- (stem of absorbēns, present participle of absorbēre ). See absorb, -ent

Example Sentences

Absorbent plant matter such as moss or bark could have also been useful, where available.

From National Geographic • Nov. 29, 2023

Skoon cat litter $28 Absorbent cat litter made of diatom pebbles.

From The Verge • Mar. 26, 2022

Absorbent organic cotton and bamboo keep Baby comfy and dry, while the modern pattern looks great and obscures stains.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 15, 2018

Absorbent green space will connect the hotels, condo towers, shops and arts center.

From Washington Post • Dec. 22, 2014

Absorbent or surgical cotton makes a good dressing, because it both sucks up any fluids which might leak out of the wound, and forms a mesh-filter through which no germs can penetrate.

From Preventable Diseases by Hutchinson, Woods