soap powder

IPA/ˈsəʊp paʊdə(r)/
IPA/ˈsəʊp paʊdər/

soap powder — noun

1. a powdered cleaner that you use to wash clothes, usually by putting it into a wa

1.nounB1
Definition

a powdered cleaner that you use to wash clothes, usually by putting it into a washing machine

Example

Sana poured soap powder into the washing machine before the towels went in.

pour soap powder into the washing machine

After football practice, Kevin used extra soap powder on his muddy shorts.

Common collocations
  • soap powder drawer
  • box of soap powder
  • extra soap powder
  • cheap soap powder
Synonyms
  • washing powder

    A very close synonym, especially common in British English.

  • laundry detergent

    A broader term that also includes liquid and pod products, not only powder.

  • detergent

    A general cleaning product term that does not specifically mean powder for clothes.

Grammar Patterns

add soap powder to the washing machine

a box of soap powder

wash clothes with soap powder

Usage Note

This noun is usually uncountable when you mean the substance in general. In current everyday English, many speakers are more likely to say washing powder or laundry detergent, especially for modern products.

Common Mistakes

Put one soap powder in the drawer.
Put some soap powder in the drawer.
When talking about the substance, soap powder is usually uncountable.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Soap powder and washing powder usually refer to the same kind of product, but washing powder is more common in British English today. Laundry detergent is broader and can mean powder, liquid, sheets, or pods, so it works when the form does not matter. Detergent is even more general and may refer to products for dishes or other cleaning jobs, not only clothes. If you want to stress the older powder form used for laundry, soap powder is the most exact choice.

soap powder ↗washing powderlaundry detergentdetergent ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • box of soap powder
  • packet of soap powder
  • soap powder drawer

Phrases

  • add soap powder to the machine
  • wash clothes with soap powder

Prepositions

  • with soap powder

Etymology

English

This compound joins soap and powder. It developed in English as a straightforward name for powdered laundry cleaner, especially before liquid detergents and pods became common in homes.