# absorbency

/əbˈzɔɹbənsi/ (US) · /ɐbsˈɔːbənsi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/absorbency
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the ability of a material to soak up and hold liquid. You often see this word on the labels of paper towels or baby diapers.

For teachers: the capacity of a material to take in and retain liquid or gas. Often used in technical contexts to describe the properties of filters, textiles, or geological formations.

## Examples

- The paper towels have high absorbency.
- The manufacturer improved the absorbency of the new fabric to make it more effective for cleaning.
- Geologists measured the soil's absorbency to determine how quickly water would drain after the heavy rainfall, which is critical for predicting flood risk.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.