# soil

/ˈsɔɪɫ/ (US) · /sˈɔɪl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. earth for plants

noun · CEFR B1

the top layer of earth where plants, trees, and flowers grow.

For teachers: the unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants.

- The gardener added some compost to the soil to help the roses grow.
- The volcanic soil in this region is exceptionally fertile, providing the necessary nutrients for high-yield viticulture without the need for intensive chemical fertilisers.

### 2. territory or country

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the land that belongs to a specific country.

For teachers: the land or territory belonging to a particular nation or state.

- It was the first time the athlete had competed on foreign soil.
- The treaty explicitly forbids the stationing of foreign military personnel on sovereign soil during times of peace.

### 3. to make dirty

verb · CEFR B2

to make something dirty, especially clothes or hands.

For teachers: to make something dirty or stained; often used in the passive voice to describe laundry or surfaces.

- Be careful not to soil your new white dress while playing outside.
- The white upholstery was easily soiled by the constant traffic of visitors, necessitating a strict no-shoes policy in the gallery.

### 4. to damage a reputation

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to damage someone's good name or reputation.

For teachers: to tarnish or mar a reputation, character, or record with disgrace.

- The scandal threatened to soil the family's reputation forever.
- The accusations, though eventually proven false, served to soil his professional standing in a way that no formal apology could fully repair.

### 5. to have an accident

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

to accidentally go to the toilet in your clothes.

For teachers: to dirty one's clothing by accidentally defecating or urinating while clothed.

- The patient was embarrassed because he had soiled himself during the night.
- Nursing staff must monitor elderly patients for signs of distress if they have soiled themselves, ensuring they are cleaned promptly to prevent skin irritation.

Usage: Often used as a reflexive verb: 'to soil oneself'.

## Examples

- The gardener adds compost to improve the soil.
- Farmers must rotate their crops every few years to keep the soil healthy and full of nutrients.
- The region's volcanic soil is exceptionally fertile, allowing local vineyards to produce grapes with a unique mineral profile that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

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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.