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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Absorb: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：take in (absorb)

absorb 🔊

/əbˈzɔːrb/

vt.

To take in a liquid or gas, like a sponge soaks up water.

take in 🔊

➕

/teɪk ɪn/

vt.

To draw in or soak up a substance, such as a liquid or gas.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'absorbere': 'ab-' (away) + 'sorbere' (suck in).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: A SPONGE ABSORBS water. The 'ab-' sounds like 'up', and it sucks things UP.

📖 Example

This towel can absorb a lot of water, so it's perfect for cleaning up spills on the kitchen floor. 🔊 This towel can take in a lot of water, so it's perfect for cleaning up spills on the kitchen floor.

🔗 Collocations

absorb water – to soak up or take in water

absorb light – to take in light rather than reflecting it

absorb nutrients – to take in nutrients from food or the environment

🔄 Synonyms

soak up (phr. v.) – to absorb a liquid completely

imbibe (vt.) – to drink in or absorb, often used formally

assimilate (vt.) – to take in and integrate, especially information or ideas

🚫 Antonyms

release (vt.) – to let go or allow to escape

emit (vt.) – to send out or discharge, especially gas or light

repel (vt.) – to drive or force back; to be incapable of absorbing

🌱 Derivatives

absorption (n.) – the process of being absorbed

absorbent (adj.) – having the ability to absorb

absorber (n.) – a device or material that absorbs something

📖 Cultural Story

Borrowed into Middle English from French 'absorber', tracing back to Latin 'absorbere' meaning 'to swallow up'. Historically used in science from the 17th century to describe processes like liquids being taken up by solids.

Meaning 2：engross (absorb)

absorb 🔊

/əbˈzɔːrb/

vt.

To take up all of someone's interest or attention completely.

engross 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈɡroʊs/

vt.

To occupy one's full interest, attention, or time completely.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The movie's story was so good that it completely absorbed me, and I didn't even notice two hours had passed. 🔊 The movie's story was so good that it completely engrossed me, and I didn't even notice two hours had passed.

🔗 Collocations

absorb someone's attention – to fully capture and hold someone's attention

be absorbed in thought – to be completely focused on one's own thinking

absorb information – to take in and understand information fully

🔄 Synonyms

engross (vt.) – to occupy completely, as the mind or attention

captivate (vt.) – to attract and hold the interest of someone

immerse (vt.) – to involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest

🚫 Antonyms

bore (vt.) – to fail to interest; to be tedious

distract (vt.) – to divert attention away from something

🌱 Derivatives

absorbing (adj.) – intensely interesting; engrossing