absorb
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: absorbs · absorbing
Sense 1
To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to incorporate; to assimilate; to take in and use up.
Verb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
To suck up; to drink in; to imbibe, like a sponge or as the lacteals of the body; to chemically take in.
Verb
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “absorb” mean?
To include so that it no longer has separate existence; to overwhelm; to cause to disappear as if by swallowing up; to incorporate; to assimilate; to take in and use up.
Is “absorb” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.