Definition

1. Verb:
   • To take in or soak up (a liquid, gas, or other substance): A physical process where one material draws in and incorporates another.
   • To take in and understand fully (information, ideas, or experience): To mentally assimilate knowledge or impressions.
   • To engross or engage (someone's interest or attention) completely: To occupy someone's mind or time fully.
   • To assimilate or integrate (a group) into a larger entity: To cause a smaller group to become part of a larger whole, often losing its distinct identity.
   • To bear the cost or impact of something: To take on a financial burden or effect without passing it on.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air. (Physical taking in)
  • It took her a moment to absorb the shocking news. (Mental assimilation)
  • The book was so good it completely absorbed me for the entire weekend. (Engrossing attention)
  • The large company absorbed several of its smaller competitors. (Assimilating into a larger entity)
  • The company will absorb all the travel expenses for the project. (Bearing a cost)

Advanced Usage

• "to be absorbed in something": To be so interested in something that you give it all your attention.

  • He was so absorbed in his work that he didn't hear the phone ring.

• "absorb the shock": To lessen the impact of a physical blow or a surprising event.

  • The car's suspension is designed to absorb the shock from bumps in the road.
  • She needed time to absorb the shock of her sudden dismissal.

Variants and Related Words

• Absorbent (adj): Having the ability to soak up liquids easily.

  • Use an absorbent cloth to clean the spill.

• Absorption (n): The process of absorbing or the state of being absorbed.

  • The absorption of nutrients happens in the intestines.
  • Her total absorption in the task was impressive.

• Absorber (n): A thing that absorbs something, especially a device on a vehicle that absorbs shock.

  • The car needs new shock absorbers.

Synonyms

• Soak up: To absorb a liquid.
• Assimilate: To take in and understand information or to integrate a group.
• Engross: To occupy completely (the mind or attention).
• Incorporate: To take in or include something as part of a whole.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Absorb" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly or with prepositions like "into.")

Related Idioms

• Absorb like a sponge: To learn or understand information very quickly and easily.
  • Young children absorb new languages like a sponge.

Verb

1. consume all of one's attention or time
   • Her interest in butterflies absorbs her completely
2. assimilate or take in
   • The immigrants were quickly absorbed into society
3. devote (oneself) fully to
   • He immersed himself into his studies
4. suck or take up or in
   • A black star absorbs all matter
5. cause to become one with
   • The sales tax is absorbed into the state income tax
6. take in, also metaphorically
   • The sponge absorbs water well
   • She drew strength from the minister's words
7. take up, as of debts or payments
   • absorb the costs for something
8. take up mentally
   • he absorbed the knowledge or beliefs of his tribe
9. become imbued
   • The liquids, light, and gases absorb