Absorb

/əbˈzɔːrb/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To take in or soak up (energy, liquid, or other substance) through a surface.

The sponge can absorb a lot of water.

To understand or assimilate information or ideas.

She was able to absorb the complex theories quickly.

To take in or receive and incorporate (something) into a broader context.

The company plans to absorb the smaller entity into its operations.

To diminish the force, impact, or intensity of something.

The thick curtains helped to absorb the sound from outside.

From Latin 'absorbere', meaning 'to suck in, swallow up'.

absorb information

To take in and understand information.

absorb shock

To lessen the impact of force.

absorb costs

To accept financial expenses without passing them on.

absorption

The process of absorbing something.

absorptive

Having the ability to absorb.

To be totally involved or mesmerized.

I was so absorbed in the game, I lost track of time.

To take in heavy or intense emotional content.

That movie really absorbed me; I cried through half of it.