What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ingest
Example
I need to ingest more water to stay hydrated. [ingest: verb]
Example
The doctor instructed me to ingest the medication with food. [ingesting: present participle]
absorb
Example
The sponge can absorb a lot of water. [absorb: verb]
Example
The soil absorbs nutrients from the fertilizer. [absorbs: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Absorb is more commonly used than ingest in everyday language. Absorb is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ingest is more specific and often used in medical or nutritional contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ingest and absorb?
Ingest is typically associated with a more formal or clinical tone, while absorb can be used in both formal and informal contexts.