# soap

/ˈsoʊp/ (US) · /sˈəʊp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/soap
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. cleaning substance

noun · CEFR A2

a substance used with water for washing your body or cleaning objects.

For teachers: a substance used as a detergent or surfactant for cleaning, traditionally a metallic salt of a fatty acid.

- She bought a bar of lavender soap to keep in the guest bathroom.
- The chemist explained how the molecular structure of soap allows it to emulsify oils, making them easy to rinse away with water.

### 2. television drama

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a popular television story about the daily lives of a group of people.

For teachers: a serialized television drama characterized by domestic situations and sentimental storylines.

- My grandmother never misses her favourite afternoon soap.
- Critics often dismiss soaps as low-brow entertainment, yet they maintain some of the most loyal audiences in the history of broadcasting.

### 5. to apply soap

verb · CEFR B1

to rub soap onto something or someone while washing.

For teachers: to apply soap or a lathering agent to a surface, typically for the purpose of cleansing.

- You should soap your hands for at least twenty seconds to kill germs.
- The technician carefully soaped the delicate glass equipment before placing it in the ultrasonic cleaner for a final rinse.

## Examples

- Please wash your hands with soap before dinner.
- The hotel provides small bars of handmade soap and fresh towels for every guest.
- While synthetic detergents are more effective in hard water, traditional soap remains the preferred choice for sensitive skin due to its simpler chemical composition.

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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.