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 of spongy

• 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

Together with Jake Francis, a professor at the university, Bloom walked through the spongy soil that was frozen solid a few weeks earlier. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

When the discs degenerate, vertebrae lose the spongy buffer between bones, resulting in pain. — New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026

Do not freeze or the filling will turn into a spongy texture. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026

Malva pudding, a warm spongy cake soaked in a cream and butter sauce served with a warm custard, is often served as dessert. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

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