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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 The owners of Konjo, Fetien Gibre-Michael and Yoseph Assefa, have introduced an untold number of Denverites to injera, a spongy bread that accompanies most meals. Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spongy

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spongy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spongy. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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

spongy

adjective
spongier; spongiest
: resembling a sponge
especially : full of cavities : cancellous
spongy bone
sponginess noun

More from Merriam-Webster on spongy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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