absorbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'absorbed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been consumed or taken in, such as knowledge or information. For example, "He was so absorbed in his book he didn't even notice when his mother called him for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Wild Beasts Smother "I discovered Wild Beasts on their second record, Two Dancers, but was completely absorbed in it for months.

The Guardian - Music

By the time I arrived in Nice, the picnic on the beach had been called off, but I was soon absorbed into the extended family of this pair of single mothers and avid social networkers.

The Guardian - Travel

There are concerns that the tax will not be absorbed by the internet providers, as the government claims.

The Guardian

Normally, Burn This had no trouble keeping an audience absorbed: John Malkovich and Juliet Stephenson were at their mesmeric best, the auditorium was an intimate 200-seater, and the play was a sell-out.

The Guardian

Most recipes add the syrup as soon as or shortly after the pastries come out of the oven, so it can be absorbed as they cool, but Roden shares a highly "unorthodox secret trick" of her aunt Latifa's – she returns the syrupy baklava to the oven for five minutes, explaining that "the pastry made this way is among the best I have eaten".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Guaranteed railway shares absorbed up to a fifth of British portfolio investment in the 20 years to 1870 – the first line opened in 1853 – but only 1% of it originated in India.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bring back up to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer on a medium heat until the stock has been absorbed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

NITV began as a pay TV channel in 2007 before being absorbed by SBS on free-to-air television (Channel 34) in December 2012.

The Guardian

You may be surprised to find sugar within the juice, but the fig fibre ensures that the sugar is absorbed slowly.

The Guardian - Books

And Justice Kennedy, in particular, appeared to have absorbed the subtler dimensions of the government's defence of the law.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Lahiri is vacuous, self-absorbed and clueless about the wider world unless it comes packaged in a pop culture reference.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absorbed" to describe someone's mental state, ensure it's clear what they are absorbed in. For example, "He was absorbed in his work." clarifies the object of his focus.

Common error

Avoid using "absorbed" vaguely without specifying what is doing the absorbing. For instance, instead of saying "The liquid was absorbed", specify "The sponge absorbed the liquid" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "absorbed" is as a past participle or adjective. It describes a state of being deeply engaged or completely taken in by something, as shown by Ludwig AI's examples of people being "absorbed" in activities or materials "absorbing" liquids.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Lifestyle

20%

Arts

12%

Less common in

Books

10%

Sport

8%

Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "absorbed" is versatile, functioning as both a past participle and an adjective, signifying deep engagement or integration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts. Common usage includes describing mental states (e.g., "absorbed in thought") and physical processes (e.g., liquid being absorbed). While highly versatile, ensure clarity by specifying the object of absorption. The word appears frequently in News & Media, Lifestyle and Arts sources. For alternatives, consider "engrossed", "immersed", or "preoccupied", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engrossed

Similar meaning, emphasizing deep mental engagement and focus.

immersed

Focuses on being completely surrounded or covered, both literally and figuratively.

preoccupied

Suggests that one's thoughts are mainly occupied with something, sometimes to the exclusion of other things.

captivated

Highlights the charm or attraction that holds someone's attention.

engaged

Implies active participation and involvement.

assimilated

Focuses on the integration and understanding of new information or experiences.

ingested

More literal, suggesting something has been taken in or consumed, often in a physical sense but can be used figuratively.

soaked up

Implies thoroughly taking in something, like knowledge or experience.

integrated

Suggests the combination or coordination of separate elements into a unified whole.

concentrated

Emphasizes focused attention and effort directed towards a specific object or task.

FAQs

How can I use "absorbed" in a sentence?

You can use "absorbed" to describe being deeply engaged in something, as in, "She was "absorbed in the book"". Alternatively, it can describe something being taken in, such as "The cloth "absorbed the spill"".

What's a good alternative for "absorbed" when describing someone's focus?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "absorbed" include "engrossed", "immersed", or "preoccupied". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "absorbed by" or "absorbed in"?

Both "absorbed by" and "absorbed in" are correct, but they have different uses. "Absorbed by" often describes something being taken in or consumed, while "absorbed in" usually refers to being mentally or emotionally engaged.

What is the difference between "absorbed" and "assimilated"?

"Absorbed" implies taking something in, while "assimilated" suggests fully integrating something into a larger whole, often referring to knowledge or culture.