Lignin is an organic polymer, and largely presents in wood, bamboo, straw, grass and other plants materials. However the application of lignin has been greatly hindered due to its complicate structure. Lignin absorbent is an important research topic for its high-value use in recent years. Based on the introduction of the chemical structure and molecular modification of lignin, the absorbing capacity of dyes, pesticides and other substances for lignin and its derivatives are reviewed.