soap

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a cleansing and emulsifying agent made usually by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids and consisting essentially of sodium or potassium salts of such acids
b
: a salt of a fatty acid and a metal
2

soap

2 of 2

verb

soaped; soaping; soaps

transitive verb

1
: to rub soap over or into
2

Examples of soap in a Sentence

Noun Make sure you use soap and water to wash your hands. The store sells many different brands of liquid soaps. Her first acting job was on a soap. Verb I soap my hair first when I take a shower. He soaped and rinsed the car.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
How To Use Kojic Acid Kojic acid is mainly found in creams, serums, lotions, soaps, eye creams, sunscreens, and face washes at 0.4-4% concentrations. Merve Ceylan, Health, 4 Nov. 2024 Boeing got in trouble for playing dirty with cargo plane soap dispensers. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Those ranged from soaping windows to fires and destruction of property, according to the State Historical Society of Iowa. Bychris Morris, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024 Drivers soaped and rubbed down their cars and trucks, apparently unaware of the tragedy that had taken place less than 12 hours before. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for soap 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sope, from Old English sāpe; akin to Old High German seifa soap

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of soap was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near soap

Cite this Entry

“Soap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

soap

1 of 2 noun
1
: a substance that is usually made by the action of alkali on fat, dissolves in water, and is used for washing
2
: a salt of a fatty acid
3

soap

2 of 2 verb
: to rub soap over or into

Medical Definition

soap

noun
1
: a cleansing and emulsifying agent made usually by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids and consisting essentially of sodium or potassium salts of such acids
2
: a salt of a fatty acid and a metal

More from Merriam-Webster on soap

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