spongier; spongiest
1
2
a
: not firm or solid
b
: being in the form of a metallic sponge
spongy iron
3
: moist and soft like a sponge full of water
a spongy moor
sponginess
noun
Examples of spongy in a Sentence
spongy moss covered the ground
generously pour the brandy over the cake, which is so spongy that it will absorb most of the liquid
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike long bones, but like flat bones and irregular bones, short bones are primarily spongy, though they are also covered in a thin coating of compact bone.
—
Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
The city of the future may be spongier in ways that are obviously verdant or more subtle.
—WIRED, 29 Sep. 2023
Almas caviar comes only from an albino beluga sturgeon that is over 100 years old, as older sturgeons have a spongier texture than younger fish, according to EHL Insights.
—Josie Goodrich, USA TODAY, 7 July 2023
Step 1: Make the Stave Because green wood is too spongy to launch a fast arrow and dead wood breaks when bent, the ideal stave for a self bow is carefully seasoned.
—Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023
When the prion was injected into the brains of mice, the brains became spongy and riddled with holes, the telltale signs of prion disease.
—Amber Angelle, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2010
Oregon dedicates its new stadium, Hayward Field, and then wins 9-0 on the new damp, spongy turf in front of a capacity crowd of 9,000.
—oregonlive, 23 Nov. 2021
The famously spongy structure of marshmallows!
—Eunice Liu, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2015
The logic of this scenario — Maverick is, by any account, a terrible member of the military, no matter his talents — is as spongy as everything that follows.
—Vulture, 29 May 2022
See More
Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
The city of the future may be spongier in ways that are obviously verdant or more subtle.
—WIRED, 29 Sep. 2023
Almas caviar comes only from an albino beluga sturgeon that is over 100 years old, as older sturgeons have a spongier texture than younger fish, according to EHL Insights.
—Josie Goodrich, USA TODAY, 7 July 2023
Step 1: Make the Stave Because green wood is too spongy to launch a fast arrow and dead wood breaks when bent, the ideal stave for a self bow is carefully seasoned.
—Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023
When the prion was injected into the brains of mice, the brains became spongy and riddled with holes, the telltale signs of prion disease.
—Amber Angelle, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2010
Oregon dedicates its new stadium, Hayward Field, and then wins 9-0 on the new damp, spongy turf in front of a capacity crowd of 9,000.
—oregonlive, 23 Nov. 2021
The famously spongy structure of marshmallows!
—Eunice Liu, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2015
The logic of this scenario — Maverick is, by any account, a terrible member of the military, no matter his talents — is as spongy as everything that follows.
—Vulture, 29 May 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spongy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of spongy was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing spongy
Dictionary Entries Near spongy
Cite this Entry
“Spongy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spongy. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
spongy
adjective
spongier; spongiest
: resembling a sponge in appearance or in ability to absorb : soft and full of holes or moisture
sponginess
noun
Medical Definition
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