loofah

noun loo·fah \ ˈlü-fə \

variants: or luffa

|Updated on: 28 Jun 2018

Definition of loofah

1 : any of a genus (Luffa) of Old World tropical plants of the gourd family with white to yellow flowers and large usually elongate fruits that are sometimes eaten as vegetables when immature; also : the fruit of a loofah

2 : a sponge consisting of the fibrous interior of the mature dried fruit of a loofah (especially Luffa aegyptiaca synonym L. cylindrica)

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Recent Examples of loofah from the Web

This means no abrasive loofahs, cloths, scrubs or chemical exfoliants.

— dr. leslie baumann, miamiherald, "How to choose a skin cleanser," 18 June 2018
While much of the marketing of loofahs shows the sponge in a sea-side setting, surrounded by seashells and the like, loofahs are not the remains of an oceanic creature (unlike sea sponges).

— jean nick, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Loofah Sponge," 8 May 2017
There were people crowded into the restaurant, clustered around piles of hot pots filled with beef, fish maws, and pork intestines along with casseroles of sauteed loofah and kidneys with chili sauce.

— beth segal, cleveland.com, "Szechuan Gourmet: Hot spot for hot pot and much more in Asiatown (photos)," 20 Apr. 2018
To buy: $7 after code (originally $11.50); dermstore.com Dry winter skin, meet loofah bar.

— kathleen mulpeter, Health.com, "Dermstore Is Having a HUGE Secret Sale Right Now," 13 Apr. 2018
This can be done with a soft washcloth, a loofah, or a body brush, but for those in a hurry and DIY-ing their tan, Coco's created a tool to help.

— lexy lebsack, refinery29.com, "Kim K.'s Spray Tanner Just Launched A Game-Changing Product," 12 Mar. 2018
This shower gel combines essential oils of eucalyptus and mint for a nourishing and skin-firming lather, no loofah or washcloth necessary.

— adam hurly, GQ, "The Best Body Washes Leave Your Skin Healthy, Hydrated, and Maybe Even Glowing," 29 Jan. 2018
Below, the biggest mushrooms in beauty and wellness, and where to find them: Tremella also known as snow fungus, silver ear, or witch’s butter, looks like a loofah, feels like jelly, and grows on the side of trees.

— kat stoeffel, The Cut, "Do Medicinal Mushrooms Actually Work?," 11 Jan. 2018
Using a loofah, scrub your entire body, paying close attention to your knees, elbows, and ankles, which tend to be the driest.

— elizabeth denton, Seventeen, "8 Mistakes You're Making When Applying Self Tanner," 24 July 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'loofah.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.