noun
sponge
spuhnj
noun
1
A simple sea creature with a soft, porous skeleton, or the absorbent material made from it (or a synthetic equivalent) used for washing.
"She wiped down the counter with a damp sponge."
"Natural sea sponges are harvested from the ocean floor."
2
A light, airy cake.
"The bakery's Victoria sponge sold out by noon."
3
A person who lives off other people's generosity without giving anything back.
"He's been a sponge on his brother's finances for years."
verb
1
To live off, or take advantage of, someone else's money or kindness.
"She's been sponging off her parents since college."
How to Use Sponge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft, absorbent tool or creature — or, informally, someone who freeloads.
Common pairings
sponge off someone
wipe with a sponge
sea sponge
sponge cake
Word Forms
sponged past tense, sponges plural, sponges singular
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Etymology
From Old English spunge, borrowed from Latin spongia, which came from Greek spongos.