Definition of 'soar'

Word Frequency

soar

(sɔːʳ )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense soars , present participle soaring , past tense, past participle soared

1. verb

If the amount, value, level, or volume of something soars, it quickly increases by a great deal.

[journalism]

Insurance claims are expected to soar. [VERB]

Shares soared on the stock exchange. [VERB]

Figures showed customer complaints had soared to record levels and profits were falling. [VERB preposition/adverb]

The temperature in the south will soar into the hundreds. [VERB preposition/adverb]

...soaring unemployment. [VERB-ing]

2. verb

If something such as a bird soars into the air, it goes quickly up into the air.

[literary]

If you're lucky, a splendid golden eagle may soar into view. [VERB preposition/adverb]

Buzzards soar overhead at a great height. [VERB preposition/adverb]

The two sheets of flame clashed, soaring hundreds of feet high. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: fly, rise, wing, climb More Synonyms of soar

3. verb

Trees or buildings that soar upwards are very tall.

[literary]

The steeple soars skyward. [VERB preposition/adverb]

...the soaring spires of churches like St Peter's. [VERB-ing]

Synonyms: tower, rise, climb, go up More Synonyms of soar

4. verb

If music soars, it rises greatly in volume or pitch.

[literary]

The music soared to the rafters, carrying its listeners' hearts. [VERB preposition]

His soaring voice cuts straight to the heart. [VERB-ing]

[Also VERB]

5. verb

If your spirits soar, you suddenly start to feel very happy.

[literary]

For the first time in months, my spirits soared. [VERB]

More Synonyms of soar

Video: pronunciation of
soar

soar in British English

(sɔː )

verb (intransitive)

to rise or fly upwards into the air

(of a bird, aircraft, etc) to glide while maintaining altitude by the use of ascending air currents

to rise or increase in volume, size, etc

soaring prices

noun

the act of soaring

the altitude attained by soaring

Derived forms

soarer (ˈsoarer)

noun

soaring (ˈsoaring)

noun, adjective

Word origin

C14: from Old French essorer, from Vulgar Latin exaurāre (unattested) to expose to the breezes, from Latin ex-1 + aura a breeze

Word Frequency

soar in American English

(sɔr )

verb intransitive

to rise or fly high into the air

to fly, sail, or glide along high in the air

to glide along without engine power, maintaining or gaining altitude on currents of air

said of an aircraft, esp. a glider

to rise above the usual or ordinary level or bounds; be elevated

soaring prices, soaring spirits

verb transitive

5. OLD-FASHIONED, Poetic

to reach by soaring

noun

soaring range or height

the act of soaring

Derived forms

soarer (ˈsoarer)

noun

Word origin

ME soren < OFr essorer, to expose (wings) to the air, hence soar, as a falcon < VL *exaurare < L ex-, out + aura, air: see aura

Word Frequency

soar in American English

(sɔr, sour)

intransitive verb

to fly upward, as a bird

to fly at a great height, without visible movements of the pinions, as a bird

to glide along at a height, as an airplane

to rise or ascend to a height, as a mountain

to rise or aspire to a higher or more exalted level

His hopes soared

noun

an act or instance of soaring

the height attained in soaring

Derived forms

soarer

noun

soaringly

adverb

Word origin

[1325–75; ME soren ‹ MF essorer ‹ VL *exaurāre, equiv. to L ex- ex-1 + aur(a) air + -āre inf. suffix]

Examples of 'soar' in a sentence
soar

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And my panicky heart soared just as fast.The heavy rain follows months of drought and soaring temperatures which helped trigger thousands of wildfires.The tragedy came after the demolition firm had boasted of its safety work amid soaring profits. Welfare bills will soar if unemployment rises.Any such move would be likely to send the share price soaring.They positively soared through the air with feet outstretched in front of them.The soaring cost of food has also made making ends meet incredibly difficult.The idea that she might love me had me soaring like a bird in the sky. Profits are soaring again after a golden period for backers.The plan would mean those in the most expensive properties would see their bills soar.