soiled; soiling; soils
1
: to stain or defile morally : corrupt
2
: to make unclean especially superficially : dirty
3
: to blacken or taint (something, such as a person's reputation) by word or deed
: to become soiled or dirty
1
: firm land : earth
2
a
: the upper layer of earth that may be dug or plowed and in which plants grow
b
: the superficial unconsolidated and usually weathered part of the mantle of a planet and especially of the earth
4
: the agricultural life or calling
5
: a medium in which something takes hold and develops
soiled; soiling; soils
: to feed (livestock) in the barn or an enclosure with fresh grass or green food
also
: to purge (livestock) by feeding on green food
Synonyms
Examples of soil in a Sentence
Verb (1)
oil and grease soiled the mechanic's shirt
Noun (1)
got some sort of soil on my white pants
the horse lifted its tail and deposited its soil on the grass
Noun (2)
bought rich soil to plant flowers in
happy to have soil under my feet after that long sea voyage
Recent Examples on the Web
Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2025
Factors such as infections, allergies, or wearing a wet or soiled diaper for too long can contribute to diaper dermatitis.6
Symptoms of diaper dermatitis affect the areas covered by a diaper.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025
June • For camellia, citrus, gardenia, grape and other plants adapted to acidic soil: If leaves are yellowing (chlorotic) between green veins, plants may benefit from foliar or soil application of iron and zinc chelate and mulching.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for soil 
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Verb
Later that night the girl woke up and was crying and holding her stomach, and soiled herself with diarrhea, the affidavits state.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2025
Factors such as infections, allergies, or wearing a wet or soiled diaper for too long can contribute to diaper dermatitis.6
Symptoms of diaper dermatitis affect the areas covered by a diaper.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
Rocks also contribute to soil stability and protect delicate ecosystems.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025
June • For camellia, citrus, gardenia, grape and other plants adapted to acidic soil: If leaves are yellowing (chlorotic) between green veins, plants may benefit from foliar or soil application of iron and zinc chelate and mulching.
—The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for soil
Articles Related to soil
Dictionary Entries Near soil
Cite this Entry
“Soil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soil. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soil
1 of 3 verb
: to make or become dirty
soil
2 of 3 noun1
b
: moral soilage : corruption
2
: something that soils or pollutes
soil
3 of 3 noun1
: firm land : earth
2
: the loose surface material of the earth in which plants grow
4
: an environment in which something may take root and grow
slums are fertile soil for crime
Etymology
Verb
Middle English soilen "to corrupt, make dirty," from early French soiller "to wallow," from soil "pigsty"
Noun
Middle English soil "earth," from early French soil (same meaning), derived from Latin solea "sole, sandal, foundation timber"
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