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Synonyms

absorbent

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

adjective

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


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a substance that absorbs

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By 2028, Unicharm aims to recycle the plastic and absorbent polymer from soiled diapers to make new ones as well, Tsutomu Kido, senior executive officer of Unicharm's recycling business, told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

And then, of course, there is the absorbent core—which holds what scientists refer to as the “insult.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Tucked within most of them were even shorter absorbent layers, which are meant to soak up menstrual flow.

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2024

These chemicals can help make the material in tampons and pads more absorbent, but advocates argue they can be replaced by safer substances.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2024

And now I could see the doll only vaguely and drops of moisture were thudding down upon its absorbent paper .

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

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