soapy
Americanadjective
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containing or impregnated with soap.
soapy water.
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covered with soap or lather.
soapy dishes.
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of the nature of soap; resembling soap.
a soft, soapy fiber.
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pertaining to or characteristic of soap.
a clean, soapy smell.
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Informal. characteristic or reminiscent of a soap opera; melodramatic; corny.
a soapy plot.
adjective
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containing or covered with soap
soapy water
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resembling or characteristic of soap
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slang flattering or persuasive
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of soapy
Explanation
Things that have soap in (or on) them are soapy, and things that resemble soap because they're frothy or foamy are also soapy. Your cat won't be happy if you pet him with your soapy hands, and you won't be happy if your hot chocolate tastes vaguely soapy. Another way to use this adjective is to mean "overly flattering and fake." The soapy compliment you give your teacher will be just as distasteful to your classmates as that soapy hot chocolate was to you.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These stories may sound like soapy twists in a Taylor Sheridan drama or cable TV movie, but they actually come straight from one of the bestselling books of all time — the Bible.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026
The bestselling novelist co-wrote this soapy adaptation of her own book, following a mother fresh out of prison who attempts to reconnect with her young daughter—and starts to fall for the dead father’s best friend.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
“The Pitt” is already one of the best shows in TV, “Industry” is soapy fun and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” looks intriguing.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025
I downloaded the app and asked what my wife wants for Christmas: cheap jewelry and a soapy gift box with Rudolph socks.
From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025
Brand whirled from the sink, his hands dripping soapy water, his eyes blazing.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
