soar
To fly or rise high in the air, often with little effort, or to increase rapidly in amount, value, or intensity.
Soar describes reaching great heights or increasing dramatically with speed and grace.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To fly high and effortlessly in the sky.
- To increase very quickly in value or level.
- Commonly used for birds, prices, and emotions.
Summary
Soar describes reaching great heights or increasing dramatically with speed and grace.
- To fly high and effortlessly in the sky.
- To increase very quickly in value or level.
- Commonly used for birds, prices, and emotions.
Use soar for dramatic economic changes
When describing a stock market boom or inflation, 'soar' sounds more professional and descriptive than just saying 'go up.'
Don't confuse soar with sore
These words are homophones. 'Soar' is about flying or rising, while 'sore' refers to physical pain or an injury.
The Eagle as a symbol
In many cultures, the 'soaring eagle' is a symbol of freedom, power, and spiritual transcendence because of how high it flies.
Examples
4 of 4The eagle soared high above the mountain peaks.
Property prices in the city have soared over the last decade.
My confidence soared after I passed the difficult exam.
The jet soared into the stratosphere within minutes of takeoff.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'AR' in 'soar' as standing for 'Altitude Rising.'
Overview
The word 'soar' is a dynamic verb that describes upward movement. It has two primary applications: literal and figurative. Literally, it refers to the act of flying high in the sky, typically associated with birds or gliders that use air currents to stay aloft without flapping wings constantly. Figuratively, it describes a sharp and sudden increase in non-physical things like prices, temperatures, or human emotions. 2) Usage Patterns: 'Soar' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. You do not 'soar something'; rather, something 'soars.' It is frequently paired with prepositional phrases like 'above the clouds' or 'to new heights.' In economic contexts, it is often used with adverbs like 'dramatically' or 'unexpectedly.' 3) Common Contexts: In nature, eagles and hawks are the primary subjects of this verb. In business and news, you will frequently hear about 'soaring inflation' or 'soaring energy costs.' In literature and psychology, a person's 'spirits' or 'hopes' might soar when they receive good news, indicating a feeling of intense happiness or liberation. 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'fly' is a general term for moving through the air, 'soar' implies a specific kind of effortless, high-altitude flight. Compared to 'rise,' 'soar' suggests a much faster and more dramatic movement. For example, if prices 'rise,' they are going up; if they 'soar,' they are increasing at an alarming or impressive rate. Unlike 'climb,' which suggests effort and a step-by-step process, 'soar' feels more fluid and rapid.
Usage Notes
In professional writing, 'soar' is an excellent alternative to 'increase' when you want to emphasize the speed and scale of the growth. It is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is rarely used in the passive voice.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is spelling the word as 'sore.' Another mistake is using it transitively; you cannot 'soar a kite,' you 'fly a kite' and the kite 'soars.'
Memory Tip
Think of the 'AR' in 'soar' as standing for 'Altitude Rising.'
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French word 'essorer,' which means 'to expose to the air' or 'to rise into the air.'
Cultural Context
In American culture, the 'soaring eagle' is a patriotic symbol representing strength and freedom. In business culture, 'soaring profits' is a common phrase in annual reports.
Examples
The eagle soared high above the mountain peaks.
everydayProperty prices in the city have soared over the last decade.
formalMy confidence soared after I passed the difficult exam.
informalThe jet soared into the stratosphere within minutes of takeoff.
academicWord Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
soaring ambition
soar to success
Often Confused With
'Sore' is an adjective meaning painful or tender. 'Soar' is a verb meaning to fly high.
'Source' is the origin of something. 'Soar' is the action of rising or flying.
Grammar Patterns
Use soar for dramatic economic changes
When describing a stock market boom or inflation, 'soar' sounds more professional and descriptive than just saying 'go up.'
Don't confuse soar with sore
These words are homophones. 'Soar' is about flying or rising, while 'sore' refers to physical pain or an injury.
The Eagle as a symbol
In many cultures, the 'soaring eagle' is a symbol of freedom, power, and spiritual transcendence because of how high it flies.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word.
The price of gold has ___ to record levels this month.
The sentence requires the past participle form 'soared' to complete the present perfect tense.
Which of the following is the best synonym for 'soar' in the context of a bird?
Soaring involves maintaining height by gliding on air currents rather than constant flapping.
Reorder the words to create a logical sentence.
spirits / news / her / the / soared / hearing / upon
This follows the standard subject-verb-prepositional phrase structure in English.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions'Fly' is a general term for any movement through air. 'Soar' specifically means flying at a great height, often using air currents to glide without much effort.
Yes, it can. While the movement is 'high,' the context can be negative, such as 'soaring crime rates' or 'soaring temperatures' during a heatwave.
It is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle are both 'soared,' and the present participle is 'soaring.'
Literally, only if they are in an aircraft or hang-gliding. Figuratively, a person's career or happiness can 'soar' to indicate great success.
