soap

[sohp]

noun

1. a substance used for washing and cleansing purposes, usually made by treating a fat with an alkali, as sodium or potassium hydroxide, and consisting chiefly of the sodium or potassium salts of the acids contained in the fat.

2. any metallic salt of an acid derived from a fat.

3. Slang.,  money, especially as used for bribery in politics.

4. Slang.,  Also soap opera.

verb (used with object)

1. to rub, cover, lather, or treat with soap.

soap

/ səʊp /

noun

1. a cleaning or emulsifying agent made by reacting animal or vegetable fats or oils with potassium or sodium hydroxide. Soaps often contain colouring matter and perfume and act by emulsifying grease and lowering the surface tension of water, so that it more readily penetrates open materials such as textiles See also detergent

2. any metallic salt of a fatty acid, such as palmitic or stearic acid See also metallic soap

3. slang,  flattery or persuasive talk (esp in the phrase soft soap )

4. informal,  short for soap opera

5. slang,  money, esp for bribery

6. slang,  not possible or successful

verb

1. (tr) to apply soap to

2. slang

   1. to flatter or talk persuasively to

   2. to bribe

soap

1. A substance used for washing or cleaning, consisting of a mixture of sodium or potassium salts of naturally occurring fatty acids. Like detergents, soaps work by surrounding particles of grease or dirt with their molecules, thereby allowing them to be carried away. Unlike detergents, soaps react with the minerals common in most water, forming an insoluble film that remains on fabrics. For this reason soap is not as efficient a cleaner as most detergents. The film is also what causes rings to form in bathtubs.

2. Compare detergent

Other Word Forms

• soaplike adjective
• soapless adjective
• oversoap verb (used with object)
• unsoaped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of soap¹

before 1000; Middle English sope, Old English sāpe, cognate with German Seife, Dutch zeep, all < West Germanic (perhaps ≫ Latin sāpō; saponify )

Word History and Origins

Origin of soap¹

Old English sāpe; related to Old High German seipfa, Old French savon, Latin sāpō

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. no soap, no go.

   He wanted me to vote for him, but I told him no soap.

More idioms and phrases containing soap

• no dice (soap)
• on one's soapbox
• soft soap

Example Sentences

“Everyone receives soap, nobody is locked in cells all day, no one, in retaliation, is put in solitary confinement,” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the complaint, workers said that management had caused the problems by cutting corners on ordering cleaning supplies such as dish soap and grill cleaner.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The X-Factor winner will play at a match in Leicestershire alongside a string of celebrities including former Leicester City football players, soap actors and reality TV stars to raise funds for Young Epilepsy.

Read more on BBC

The detainees would then mark the day on their metal bed frames using soap.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It can be difficult for us old-timers to see all the changes,” said Gosen, who spins goat fiber into yarn outside her soap shop on Mane Street most weekends.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• detergent 
• soapsuds