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 of absorbent

• thirsty
• spongy

Examples of absorbent in a Sentence

highly absorbent material that is really good for wiping off automobiles

Recent Examples on the Web

Drying off won’t leave these absorbent towels sopping wet. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026

These absorbent inserts snap into place inside the cover, effectively creating a two-piece diaper. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026

Shop For Textiles At Gillian Valentine Inspired to design a more absorbent dish towel, Jill Grant began Gillian Valentine in 2019. —Brennan Long, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026

The trick to picking a good set is to avoid cotton, which is highly absorbent and takes ages to dry. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for absorbent

• adsorbent
• immunosorbent
• sorbent

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