soak

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'soak' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as a verb to mean 'immerse in a liquid to soften or clean'. For example: "I soaked my shirt in cold water before washing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When it comes to food to soak up all that pisco, Vinilo ([phone], cafevinilo.cl) is worth a visit for a contemporary take on Chilean dishes such as shredded beef in a stylish roulade.

The Guardian - Travel

Soak in the hot pools at one of the many spa hotels in Montegrotto Terme.

The Guardian - Travel

Soak eight wooden skewers in cold water until ready to use.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bring a large pan of unsalted water to the boil, add the noodles, take the pan off the heat and leave to soak for 2 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They also make ideal picnic fare and, thanks to their ability to soak up large amounts of alcohol, unsurpassable party food.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The region is criss-crossed by walking and cycling trails and dotted with little spa towns where you can soak away aches in thermal pools fed by hot springs.

The Guardian - Travel

This about half an hour slower than his personal best "but I'm doing this one more for the experience and I want to try to soak it all up", he says.

The Guardian

Put the cashews in a small bowl with five tablespoons of warm water and leave to soak.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For the daal: 150g black lentils (kaali maa ki daal) 4 big tomatoes 10g ginger garlic paste 2g garam masala Soak the lentils for 3-4 hours.

The Guardian

UK AND IRELAND Drift off with the mermaids as you soak in an Irish seaweed bath.

The Guardian - Travel

Open for breakfast and lunch, you can sit outside beneath the grape-vine framed awnings and watch life in this picturesque town go by (autumn is highly recommended for wildfire leaf colour), or dine inside the pantry among rows of handmade preserves and local wines and soak up the kitchen's hearty aromas.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "soak" in cooking contexts, be specific about the duration and purpose of soaking (e.g., "soak the beans overnight to soften them").

Common error

Avoid using "soak" excessively in metaphorical senses (e.g., "soak up information") when more precise verbs like "absorb", "learn", or "assimilate" would be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "soak" is as a verb, indicating the action of immersing something in liquid or the state of being saturated. As shown by Ludwig, it can also function as a noun, referring to the act of soaking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

25%

Travel

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "soak" functions primarily as a verb, denoting immersion and absorption. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the term is considered grammatically correct. Its frequency is very common, appearing often in News & Media, Lifestyle and Travel writing, demonstrating its versatility across various contexts. When writing with "soak", it's best to be specific about duration and purpose. Avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "soak" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immerse

Focuses on placing something entirely under liquid.

saturate

Emphasizes the process of becoming completely filled or permeated with a liquid.

drench

Implies a forceful soaking, often resulting in being completely wet.

permeate

Suggests a gradual penetration and spread throughout something.

infuse

Highlights the introduction of a quality or substance into something by steeping or soaking.

absorb

Focuses on the act of taking in or soaking up a liquid or other substance.

steep

Suggests soaking something in liquid to extract flavor or other qualities.

marinate

Implies soaking food in a sauce or liquid to flavor or tenderize it.

waterlog

Describes a state of being excessively saturated with water.

ingrain

Implies fixing something firmly in the mind or memory.

FAQs

How can I use "soak" in a sentence?

You can use "soak" in sentences like "I need to "soak" the clothes before washing them" or "Let the rice "soak" for 30 minutes before cooking it".

What are some synonyms for "soak"?

Some synonyms for "soak" include "immerse", "saturate", "drench", and "permeate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "soak up" instead of just "soak"?

"Soak up" is often used when referring to absorbing something, like information or a liquid spill. For example, "The sponge "soaked up" the water" or "I tried to "soak up" all the knowledge I could during the lecture".

What is the difference between "soak" and "steep"?

"Soak" generally means to immerse something in liquid, while "steep" specifically implies immersing something in liquid to extract flavor, color, or other qualities. For example, you might "soak" clothes to clean them, but you "steep" tea to make a beverage.