absorbent

adjective

ab·​sor·​bent əb-ˈsȯr-bənt 

-ˈzȯr-

variants or less commonly absorbant

: able to absorb

as absorbent as a sponge

absorbent noun

or less commonly absorbant

Synonyms

• bibulous
• spongy
• thirsty

Examples of absorbent in a Sentence

highly absorbent material that is really good for wiping off automobiles

Recent Examples on the Web

Shoppers note that the rug is thick, absorbent, and soft to the touch. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

Dry the Garment Lay the garment flat on a thick, absorbent towel and roll it up to remove the extra water. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024

Made of 100 percent long-staple Turkish cotton, the bath towels are durable and super absorbent, yet still smooth and soft. —Lauren Taylor, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024

But decades of sprawling urbanization also drove up Houston’s risk of flooding as absorbent wetlands were paved over and more homes were built in flood zones. —Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin absorbent-, absorbens, present participle of absorbēre "to absorb"

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

absorbent

adjective

ab·​sor·​bent əb-ˈsȯr-bənt 

-ˈzȯr-

: able to absorb

as absorbent as a sponge

absorbency

əb-ˈsȯr-bən-sē

-ˈzȯr-

noun

absorbent noun

Medical Definition

absorbent

adjective

ab·​sor·​bent

variants also absorbant

-bənt 

: able to absorb

absorbent gauze

absorbent noun

also absorbant