Are dirt and soil the same thing?

Are dirt and soil really interchangeable terms, or do they have distinct differences that separate them? On the surface, it may seem like they're just synonyms for each other, but upon closer inspection, is there more to this question than meets the eye? Could it be that dirt and soil actually serve different purposes and have unique characteristics that make them distinct from one another? Let's delve deeper and uncover the truth behind this common query.