¹soap

noun \ˈsōp\

: a substance that is used for washing something

Full Definition of SOAP

a : a cleansing and emulsifying agent made usually by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids and consisting essentially of sodium or potassium salts of such acids

b : a salt of a fatty acid and a metal

: soap opera

See soap defined for English-language learners

See soap defined for kids

Origin of SOAP

Middle English sope, from Old English sāpe; akin to Old High German seifa soap

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SOAP

Synonyms: cleanser, detergent, cleaner

Rhymes with SOAP

cope, coup, dope, grope, hope, lope, mope, nope, ope, pope, rope, scop, scope, slope, stope, taupe, tope, trope

²soap

transitive verb

: to rub soap over or into (someone or something)

Full Definition of SOAP

: to rub soap over or into

: flatter

First Known Use of SOAP

1585

SOAP Defined for Kids

¹soap

noun \ˈsōp\

Definition of SOAP for Kids

: a substance that is used for washing

²soap

verb

soapedsoap·ing

Definition of SOAP for Kids

: to rub a cleaning substance over or into something

Medical Dictionary

soap

noun \ˈsōp\

Medical Definition of SOAP

: a cleansing and emulsifying agent made usually by action of alkali on fat or fatty acids and consisting essentially of sodium or potassium salts of such acids

: a salt of a fatty acid and a metal