soil

The top layer of earth in which plants grow.

• The soil is very dry.
• She planted the seeds in rich soil.
• These plants grow well in sandy soils.

Similar words: earth, dirt

Common phrases: fertile soil, dry soil, soil quality, clay soil

The land belonging to a particular country or place.

• They returned to their native soil.
• This was her first victory on foreign soil.
• No enemy troops remained on the country's soil.

How to use it: on + country adjective + soil (The talks were held on French soil.)

Similar words: land, territory

Common phrases: foreign soil, native soil, home soil, on british soil

Human or animal waste, or decaying material, used to help plants grow.

• Night soil was collected in buckets.
• Farmers spread the soil over their fields.
• The town once used night soil to fertilize crops.

Similar words: manure, dung, compost

Common phrases: night soil, spread night soil, collect night soil

To make something dirty.

• Don't soil your clean shirt.
• Her shoes soiled the white carpet.
• The sheets were badly soiled.

How to use it: soil something with something (He soiled the carpet with muddy boots.)

Similar words: dirty, stain

Opposites: clean

Common phrases: soil something, soil your clothes, soil the carpet

To accidentally pass solid body waste into your clothes.

• The child soiled herself.
• He was embarrassed after soiling his trousers.
• The nurse helped a patient who had soiled himself.

How to use it: soil oneself (The patient had soiled himself during the night.)

Common phrases: soil yourself, soil your pants, soil your underwear

To feed farm animals freshly cut grass while keeping them inside or in an enclosed area.

• The farmer soils his cattle.
• They soiled the horses with freshly cut grass.
• The herd was soiled indoors throughout the summer.

Similar words: stall-feed

Common phrases: soil cattle, soil a horse, soil the herd