soapy

American  

[soh-pee] / ˈsoʊ pi /

adjective

soapier, soapiest

1. containing or impregnated with soap.

   soapy water.

2. covered with soap or lather.

   soapy dishes.

3. of the nature of soap; resembling soap.

   a soft, soapy fiber.

4. pertaining to or characteristic of soap.

   a clean, soapy smell.

5. Informal. characteristic or reminiscent of a soap opera; melodramatic; corny.

   a soapy plot.

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soapy British  

/ ˈsəʊpɪ /

adjective

1. containing or covered with soap

   soapy water

2. resembling or characteristic of soap

3. slang flattering or persuasive

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noun

1. a variant of soapie

Other Word Forms

• soapily adverb
• soapiness noun

Etymology

Origin of soapy

First recorded in 1600–10; soap + -y ¹

Explanation

Things that have soap in (or on) them are soapy, and things that resemble soap because they're frothy or foamy are also soapy. Your cat won't be happy if you pet him with your soapy hands, and you won't be happy if your hot chocolate tastes vaguely soapy. Another way to use this adjective is to mean "overly flattering and fake." The soapy compliment you give your teacher will be just as distasteful to your classmates as that soapy hot chocolate was to you.

Example Sentences

The bestselling novelist co-wrote this soapy adaptation of her own book, following a mother fresh out of prison who attempts to reconnect with her young daughter—and starts to fall for the dead father’s best friend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

“The Pitt” is already one of the best shows in TV, “Industry” is soapy fun and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” looks intriguing.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

I downloaded the app and asked what my wife wants for Christmas: cheap jewelry and a soapy gift box with Rudolph socks.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

The Thanksgiving episodes are shocking and absurd, packed with scathing one-liner digs and soapy melodrama; feasts so good that you can’t help but come back for more.

From Salon • May 17, 2025

I went to the kitchen and came back with water, a soapy dishrag, and a towel.

From "Kira-Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata