soaked

Soaked is the past participle of soak and is used as an adjective to describe something that has been thoroughly wetted or saturated with a liquid. It can refer to items that have been immersed for a period of time or to a person who is drenched by rain or splashes.

In everyday language, fabric, clothing, and surfaces become soaked when exposed to water, dye, or cleaning solutions. Phrases such as soaked through or soaked to the skin emphasize the depth of wetness. The term can also be used metaphorically to indicate that something is deeply permeated or overwhelmed by a substance or influence, such as a room soaked with smoke.

In cooking and food preparation, soaking is used to hydrate and soften dried foods. Dried beans, lentils, and chickpeas are commonly soaked before cooking to reduce cooking time and improve texture. Oats, rice, and other grains may be soaked to shorten preparation, while dried fruit is rehydrated by soaking. Soaking can also allow marinades to flavor food more effectively.

In cleaning and maintenance, soaking helps loosen dirt and stains before washing. Soak times vary by material and solution, and specialized soak solutions are used for textiles, dishes, or equipment to pre-treat stains, soften fabrics, or sanitize surfaces.