absorbent

[ab-sawr-buhnt, -zawr-]

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

/ əbˈsɔːbənt, -ˈzɔː- /

adjective

1. able to absorb

noun

1. a substance that absorbs

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of absorbent¹

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

Example Sentences

Period pants are underwear with built-in absorbent layers.

From BBC

Trump shared an image of the absorbent, yellow and porous icon puzzling over a notepad with a pencil in his hand.

From Salon

The cotton terry material is absorbent and warm.

From Los Angeles Times

To understand why wet and dry periods are becoming more extreme, it can help to think of the atmosphere as a kitchen sponge that’s becoming more and more absorbent as it warms.

From Salon

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

From BBC