What does soaker mean?
A soaker is something that absorbs liquid, most often a cloth, sponge, or similar material placed beneath a leak or spill. The term can also denote a person or vessel involved in soaking something in liquid. In photography, for example, a shallow dish may be called a soaker when it holds a photograph while the developing solution reaches the emulsion evenly. A less common informal sense labels a person who drinks heavily a “soaker.” Although the word has several established uses, it is not especially common today and may sound somewhat old-fashioned. Its practical meaning survives in compound expressions such as “dish soaker” and “glass soaker,” while its general meaning is readily understood from the familiar verb “soak.”
nounA person or thing that soaks up liquid, especially an object used to absorb moisture. In some contexts, it can also mean a vessel in which something may be soaked.
- A thing, especially a cloth or sponge, that absorbs liquid.
- A person who soaks or immerses something.
- A vessel used for soaking something in liquid.
- A person who drinks heavily; a heavy drinker.
"She left a dish towel beneath the leaking pipe to act as a soaker."
"The old cotton towel made an effective soaker for the leaking tap."
"The photograph was placed in a shallow dish so that the developing fluid could cover it evenly."
Plural forms are uncommon because the noun itself is relatively uncommon; the plural is used when referring to several absorbent objects, vessels, or people who soak things.
"The workers placed several plastic soakers beneath the dripping pipes."
A soaker can mean the humble towel that catches a drip or the vessel that holds what needs to absorb moisture.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does soaker come from?
“Soaker” was formed in English by adding the agent or instrument suffix “-er” to the verb “soak.” Both words ultimately relate to Old English “sōc” in the sense of liquid that has been allowed to penetrate or absorb something, though the modern verb also developed meanings involving immersing and drinking heavily.
Related word forms
How soaker is actually used
The word is relatively uncommon in everyday modern English and often has a practical, slightly old-fashioned tone. The sense meaning a heavy drinker is informal and may sound disparaging.