absorb
gb/əbzˈɔɹb/ us/əbzˈɔɹb/
A2
English
~ 3000
felszív, felvesz, feldolgoz, magába szív, elnyel, tompít, beolvaszt, bekebelez, magába olvaszt, belemerül, elmerül, leköt
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to absorb [liquid/gas]
The towel quickly absorbed the spilled juice.
A törölköző gyorsan felszívta a kiömlött gyümölcslevet.
Plants absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
A növények fotoszintézis közben szén-dioxidot vesznek fel.
This sponge can absorb a lot of water.
The mask is designed to absorb harmful fumes.
Learner examples
The cloth absorbs water.
A szövet felszívja a vizet.
Plants absorb air and water.
A növények levegőt és vizet vesznek fel.
A sponge absorbs milk.
The wall absorbs heat from the sun.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'absorb' with 'adsorb', which is a technical chemistry term meaning to collect particles on a surface, not soak into it.
Meaning
Take in a liquid or gas
Collocations
absorb water
|absorb moisture
|absorb oil
|absorb heat
Synonyms
soak up (More informal and often used for liquids in everyday contexts.)
Antonyms
release (Means to let a liquid or gas out, opposite of taking it in.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To take in a liquid or gas, like a sponge takes in water.
To soak up or draw in a liquid or gas through physical or chemical action.
VERB
B1
2
feldolgoz
B1
magába szív
B2
Usage pattern:
to absorb [information/knowledge]
It took him a while to absorb all the details of the plan.
Időbe telt, mire fel tudta dolgozni a terv minden részletét.
She listened carefully, trying to absorb every word.
Figyelmesen hallgatta, és próbált minden szót magába szívni.
It can be hard to absorb so much information at once.
Learner examples
I need time to absorb this idea.
Időre van szükségem, hogy feldolgozzam ezt a gondolatot.
He reads books to absorb knowledge.
Könyveket olvas, hogy magába szívja a tudást.
She could not absorb the lesson.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'memorize', which focuses on storing information rather than fully understanding it.
Meaning
Fully understand information
Collocations
absorb information
|absorb knowledge
|absorb details
Synonyms
assimilate (More formal, often used in academic contexts for integrating new knowledge.)
Antonyms
ignore (To deliberately not pay attention to information, opposite of taking it in.)
Themes
education
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To understand and remember new information or ideas.
To take in and mentally process new information, ideas, or experiences.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to absorb [shock/noise/heat]
Good running shoes help absorb shock when you run.
A jó futócipők segítenek elnyelni az ütődést futás közben.
The walls are designed to absorb sound from outside.
A falakat úgy tervezték, hogy elnyeljék a kívülről jövő hangokat.
Dark colors absorb more heat from the sun.
Learner examples
The shoes absorb shock when I walk.
A cipő elnyeli az ütődést, amikor sétálok.
Curtains absorb noise from the street.
A függönyök elnyelik az utcáról jövő zajt.
Black clothes absorb heat.
Meaning
Reduce impact or energy
Collocations
absorb shock
|absorb sound
|absorb heat
Synonyms
cushion (Focuses more on softening physical impact.)
Antonyms
reflect (To bounce energy like light or sound back instead of taking it in.)
Themes
science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To take in force, sound, or energy so it is weaker.
To take in and lessen the force of impact, sound, light, or other energy forms.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to absorb [organization/group]
The larger company absorbed its smaller competitor.
A nagyobb vállalat beolvasztotta a kisebb versenytársát.
The empire absorbed many neighboring states.
A birodalom számos szomszédos államot magába olvasztott.
The new system will absorb all current user data.
Learner examples
The big shop absorbed the small shop.
A nagy bolt magába olvasztotta a kis boltot.
The country absorbed new land.
Az ország új területeket olvasztott magába.
The team absorbed new players.
Meaning
Include into something larger
Collocations
absorb costs
|absorb losses
|absorb a company
Synonyms
integrate (Focuses on combining parts into a whole, sometimes keeping some individuality.)
Antonyms
separate (To keep things apart rather than combine them into one.)
Themes
business
|politics
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something part of a bigger thing so it is no longer separate.
To incorporate a smaller entity into a larger one, often ending its independent existence.
VERB
B1
5
Usage pattern:
to be absorbed in [something]
She was so absorbed in her book she didn’t hear the phone ring.
Annyira elmerült a könyvében, hogy nem hallotta, amikor csörgött a telefon.
He became absorbed in solving the puzzle.
Teljesen belemerült a rejtvény megoldásába.
The movie completely absorbed the audience.
Learner examples
She is absorbed in her book.
Elmerült a könyvében.
He is absorbed in his game.
Teljesen belemerült a játékába.
I am absorbed in my work.
Meaning
Hold attention completely
Collocations
absorbed in thought
|absorbed in work
Synonyms
engross (Slightly more formal; strong focus on deep involvement.)
Antonyms
distract (To take attention away from something rather than focus on it.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To take all of someone's attention so they think only about that thing.
To fully engage someone's mind and attention so they are unaware of other things.
Grammar
Dictionary form
absorb
IPA
GB/əbzˈɔɹb/
US/əbzˈɔɹb/
Syllables & stress
ab - sorb (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sorb)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: absorb
- 3rd Person Singular: absorbs
- Present Participle: absorbing
- Past: absorbed
Word family
Forms
absorbs
verb
absorbing
verb
absorbed
verb
Core family
absorption
noun B2
absorbent
adjective
Related words
absorber
noun
absorbable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
nonabsorbent
adjective
Advanced or less common
absorbency
noun
Expressions
absorb information
1/əbzˈɔɹb ˌɪnfɔɹmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Take in and understand facts
To learn and understand new facts or ideas well.
Examples
- It’s easier to absorb information when you are interested in the topic.
- Students need time to absorb information before exams.
absorb the cost
1/əbzˈɔɹb ðə kˈɔst/
fixed phrase
Pay expense yourself
To pay for something yourself instead of making someone else pay for it.
Examples
- The company decided to absorb the cost of repairs for all customers.
- We will absorb the cost so you don’t have to pay extra.
be absorbed in
1/bˈi əbzˈɔɹbd ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Fully focused on something
To give all your attention to one thing and not notice anything else.
Examples
- He was completely absorbed in his painting and didn’t notice me enter.
- She is often absorbed in thought for hours.