soap

1 of 2

noun

ˈsōp How to pronounce soap (audio)
Synonyms of soapnext
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 opera

soap

2 of 2

verb

soaped; soaping; soaps

transitive verb

1
: to rub soap over or into
2
: flatter

Synonyms of soap

Relevance

Noun

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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
Amazon Prime Video’s college soap has cast Shay Rudolph in the guest role for Season 2. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 An eco-friendly Method Products soap factory was built on a 180-acre site called Pullman Park, which also includes distribution facilities for Whole Foods, Amazon and SC Johnson. — Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
Adrienne prefers the convenience of soaping and rinsing a silicone band to handwashing the sweat out of a nylon one. — Kieran Alger, Wired News, 14 Apr. 2026 Trust us—you’ve never been scrubbed and soaped up so clean in your life. — Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025 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

Phrases Containing soap

Rhymes for soap

See All Rhymes for soap

Browse Nearby Words

so-and-so
soap
soap apple
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Soap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

soap

1 of 2 noun
ˈsōp How to pronounce soap (audio)
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 opera

soap

2 of 2 verb
: to rub soap over or into

Medical Definition

soap

noun
ˈsōp How to pronounce soap (audio)
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

Nglish: Translation of soap for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about soap

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