soak up
phrasal verb
soaked up; soaking up; soaks up
1
: to take in (liquid) : absorb
The rag soaked up most of the water.
2
: to enjoy feeling or experiencing (something pleasant) in usually a slow or relaxed way
We went to the beach and soaked up the sun/sunshine all afternoon.
I sat at my table for an hour soaking up the atmosphere of the café.
The performers stood on the stage, soaking up the applause.
3
: to learn and remember (something) quickly
He eagerly soaked up every word she said.
She has an ability to soak up new information very quickly.
4
: to use a large amount of (money, supplies, etc.)
This project is soaking up resources that could be used elsewhere.
Examples of soak up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Derailer has a large deck overlooking the slopes, which is a great place to soak up the sun and rehash the ski day.
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Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
Store the beef and broth mixture separately from the egg noodles if possible, so the pasta doesn’t soak up too much liquid.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Unlike your average bath towel that can get soggy after use, this one actually soaks up water without weighing it down.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 22 Dec. 2025
Later her mom ran beauty salons out of hotels, where Edmundson soaked up the scene.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soak up
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Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
Store the beef and broth mixture separately from the egg noodles if possible, so the pasta doesn’t soak up too much liquid.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
Unlike your average bath towel that can get soggy after use, this one actually soaks up water without weighing it down.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 22 Dec. 2025
Later her mom ran beauty salons out of hotels, where Edmundson soaked up the scene.
—Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soak up
Cite this Entry
“Soak up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soak%20up. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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