spongy

adjective

ˈspən-jē 

spongier; spongiest

1

: resembling a sponge:

a

: soft and full of cavities

spongy ice

b

: elastic, porous, and absorbent

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

Synonyms

• soft
• floppy
• squishy
• mushy

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

These lesions had a spongy texture, which indicates the presence of blood vessels in the affected area. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025

Some desiccants are solid, others are liquid but the newest — hydrogels or aerogels — are spongy. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025

His 3-year-old grandson, Aaron Jennings, climbs the opposite chair and bounces on its spongy base, giggling. —Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025

Cork comes from the spongy bark of the cork oak tree, which is primarily grown and harvested in the Mediterranean basin. —Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spongy

• spongy moth
• spongy parenchyma

Rhymes for spongy

• bungee

Kids Definition

spongy

adjective

ˈspən-jē 

spongier; spongiest

: resembling a sponge in appearance or in ability to absorb : soft and full of holes or moisture

sponginess noun

Medical Definition

spongy

adjective

ˈspən-jē 

spongier; spongiest

: resembling a sponge

especially : full of cavities : cancellous

spongy bone

sponginess noun