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

Cleanup teams are skimming and pumping oil from the tributary and deploying absorbent booms and pads to recover oil trapped along the creek bed.

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The conclusion to take from that is either the world economy is more shock absorbent than thought or it is just a matter of timing, with the real pain ahead.

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Period pants are underwear with built-in absorbent layers.

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

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The cotton terry material is absorbent and warm.

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