soak

Soak is a verb that means to immerse something in a liquid for a period of time so that it becomes saturated or permeated. It can also mean to cause liquid to be absorbed into a material, so that the substance becomes wet through or evenly wetted. The verb is often used with objects (soak the beans, soak the cloth) and with phrases such as “soak up” (to absorb) and “soak in” (to take in information or advice). As a noun, soak denotes the act or state of immersion: a soak in water, or the result of soaking.

Common uses include cooking, cleaning, and textile processing. In cooking and food preparation, soaking hydrates dry legumes, grains, and dried fruit, helping to shorten cooking times and improve texture. In cleaning, soaking can loosen stains or grime before washing. In textiles and dyeing, fabrics are pre-soaked to ensure even dye uptake. The term also appears in woodworking and preservation contexts when liquids are used to treat or soften materials. Colloquial phrases such as “take a soak” refer to taking a long bath. The term is also used in engineering and product testing in the phrase “soak test,” which describes prolonged exposure to conditions to assess reliability.

Despite its many senses, the core idea is contact with liquid leading to transfer of fluid or absorption. Proper soaking times depend on the material and liquid, and excessive soaking can alter texture, color, or strength. The word spans everyday life to specialized fields, reflecting the broad role of immersion and absorption in science, cooking, cleaning, and care.