sponge

1 of 2

noun

ˈspənj 

1

a(1)

: an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb water

(2)

: a piece of sponge (as for scrubbing)

(3)

: a porous rubber or cellulose product used similarly to a sponge

b

: any of a phylum (Porifera) of aquatic chiefly marine simple invertebrate animals that have a double-walled body of loosely aggregated cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or spongin and are filter feeders that are sessile as adults

2

: a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to remove discharge)

3

: one who lives on others

4

a

: a soft mixture of yeast, liquid, and flour that is allowed to rise and then mixed with additional ingredients to create bread dough

b

: a whipped dessert usually containing whites of eggs or gelatin

c

: a metal (such as platinum) obtained in porous form usually by reduction without fusion

titanium sponge

d

: the egg mass of a crab

5

: an absorbent contraceptive device that is impregnated with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix

spongelike

ˈspənj-ˌlīk 

adjective

sponge

2 of 2

verb

sponged; sponging

transitive verb

1

: to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge

2

: to erase or destroy with or as if with a sponge

—often used with out

3

: to get by sponging on another

4

: to absorb with or as if with or in the manner of a sponge

intransitive verb

1

: to absorb, soak up, or imbibe like a sponge

2

: to get something from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or good nature

sponged off of her sister

3

: to dive or dredge for sponges

sponger noun

Synonyms

Noun

• bloodsucker
• free rider
• freeloader
• hanger-on
• leech
• moocher
• parasite
• sponger

Verb

• absorb
• drink
• imbibe
• soak (up)
• suck (up)
• take up

Choose the Right Synonym for sponge

parasite, sycophant, toady, leech, sponge mean a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker.

parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

Examples of sponge in a Sentence

Noun

finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job

Verb

She sponged up the spilt milk.

He sponged off his face.

She sponged the dirt off her shirt.

She always sponges meals from us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After lightly setting with powder, mist a touch of setting spray onto a damp sponge and gently press over the undereye area. —Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024

While sponges are the preferred habitat, the researchers said they could be found on anything that sits on the bottom of an ocean. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024

Wipe away the paste and grime with a damp cloth or sponge. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

The skeletons of Caribbean sea sponges may suggest that the planet surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming more than a decade ago. —Frederick Kaufman, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024

Brunch Cakes Who says cakes have to be made of buttercream and layers of sponge? —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2024

Also, the sponge applicator may deteriorate after extended use. —Danielle Zoellner, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2024

Moisten a sponge with a diluted solution, rub until the sap dissolves, then thoroughly rinse until the water runs clear, a customer-service representative said. —Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024

Step 7: Using a sponge or dish rag with hot water and soap, wipe down the opening inside the dishwasher where the filter was removed to get rid of any loose debris. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2024

Verb

Unique sponge help researchers study climate The sponges Winter and the study’s authors researched aren’t the soft ocean sponges some might think of. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Feb. 2024

Along the way, the team, which started the mission on August 23, will continue to examine everything from deep-sea coral and sponge habitats to mud volcanoes. —Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2023

In cleaning, use a wash tub and sponge or scrub that are just used for your pet. —Leada Gore | [e-mail], al, 21 Aug. 2023

If the towel underneath the stain becomes too stained, remove and replace it with a clean one and continue to sponge until no more ink is being removed from the garment. —Lauren Smith McDonough, Good Housekeeping, 25 Jan. 2023

If that doesn't work, dip the rag or sponge into water mixed with a little dishwashing liquid, like Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Dish Soap (the milder the better). —Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 20 Jan. 2023

One group of bottlenose dolphins in Australia uses a technique called sponging to find food. —Katherine Harmon Courage, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2015

Do shrimp and sponge benefit equally from the arrangement, or are the shrimp more like parasites, who take, take, take, and never give back? —Joseph Castro, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2011

Floating near the Himalaya-high ceiling are fabric panels to sponge noise, the drinks list is as interesting as in a D.C. hot spot, and the person ferrying food from kitchen to table might be one of the two chef-owners. —Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin spongia, from Greek

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing sponge

• sponge cloth
• sponge cake
• sponge rubber
• glass sponge
• sponge bath
• throw in the sponge

Kids Definition

sponge

1 of 2 noun

ˈspənj 

1

a

: a springy mass of fibers and spicules that forms the skeleton of a group of aquatic animals and is able to absorb water freely

also : a piece of this material or of a natural or synthetic product with similar properties used especially for cleaning

b

: any of the phylum of primitive mostly marine animals that are the source of natural sponges, have a body of loosely connected cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or flexible fibers, and are filter feeders that live permanently attached to a solid surface as adults

2

: a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to soak up fluids or apply medicine)

3

: one who lives on others : sponger

4

a

: raised dough (as for yeast bread)

b

: a whipped dessert usually containing egg whites

sponge

2 of 2 verb

sponged; sponging

1

: to clean or wipe with or as if with a sponge

2

: to absorb with or like a sponge

3

: to get something or live at the expense of another

sponger noun

Medical Definition

sponge

1 of 2 noun

ˈspənj 

1

: an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb liquid

2

a

: a small pad made of multiple folds of gauze or of cotton and gauze used to mop blood from a surgical incision, to carry inhalant medicaments to the nose, or to cover a superficial wound as a dressing

b

: a porous dressing (as of fibrin or gelatin) applied to promote wound healing

c

: a plastic prosthesis used in chest cavities following lung surgery

3

: an absorbent contraceptive device impregnated with spermicide that is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix and act as a barrier to sperm

sponge

2 of 2 transitive verb

sponged; sponging

: to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge

sponge the patient's back