sponge

1 of 2

noun

ˈspənj

a(1)

: an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb water

(2)

: a piece of sponge (as for scrubbing)

(3)

: a porous rubber or cellulose product used similarly to a sponge

: any of a phylum (Porifera) of aquatic chiefly marine simple invertebrate animals that have a double-walled body of loosely aggregated cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or spongin and are filter feeders that are sessile as adults

: a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to remove discharge)

: one who lives on others

: a soft mixture of yeast, liquid, and flour that is allowed to rise and then mixed with additional ingredients to create bread dough

: a whipped dessert usually containing whites of eggs or gelatin

: a metal (such as platinum) obtained in porous form usually by reduction without fusion

titanium sponge

: the egg mass of a crab

: an absorbent contraceptive device that is impregnated with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix

spongelike

ˈspənj-ˌlīk How to pronounce sponge (audio)

adjective

sponge

2 of 2

verb

sponged; sponging

transitive verb

: to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge

: to erase or destroy with or as if with a sponge

—often used with out

: to get by sponging on another

: to absorb with or as if with or in the manner of a sponge

intransitive verb

: to absorb, soak up, or imbibe like a sponge

: to get something from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or good nature

sponged off of her sister

: to dive or dredge for sponges

sponger noun

Example Sentences

Noun finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job Verb She sponged up the spilt milk. He sponged off his face. She sponged the dirt off her shirt. She always sponges meals from us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To get that ombré twist, Ganzoright recommends using a small makeup sponge to dab on OPI's Infinite Shine in Clean Slate, spreading the color from the nail's middle point up to the tip.

Seventeen, 14 Sep. 2022 Add the bath mat to the mix and use a sponge to gently scrub it.

Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Wipe the heating element with the damp cloth or use a soft sponge to gently remove any build up.

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 Run a line of caulk along the space, and then immediately use a wet sponge to remove excess.

Chelsea Evers, Country Living, 6 July 2022 La'Pearl likes to use a damp sponge, while Meyers uses her ring finger to gently tap and blend for a softer finish.

Allure, 31 May 2022 The kit includes an applicator sponge and buffing cloth.

Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 With proper care, this sponge can last a while without getting riddled with bacteria.

Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 Long-living and fast-growing, the American chestnut is a powerful sponge for greenhouse gas emissions.

BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2022

Verb

Butterfly sponge heads fold in half for easy, hands-free wringing.

Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2022 Continuously storing a loofah or sponge in a damp area can lead to bacteria or mold growth, which can in turn leave you with some major skin irritation.

Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 But reading books in Spanish is a good way to start building their vocabulary, and the younger kids are, the more their minds are able to sponge up new words.

Christina Montoya Fiedler, Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2022 When messy cooking causes splatters, take a damp cloth or sponge with soap and wipe off the exterior of the air fryer.

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 This week has desserts like Dutch chocolate cookies, churro rice crispy treats, Victoria sponge cupcakes, and Italian limoncello muffins.

Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2022 Then, ring out the vinegar, thoroughly rinse the clean kitchen sponge in warm water and let dry.

Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2022 Use a clean makeup brush or sponge to apply your makeup.

Laken Brooks, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021 For homeowners trying to treat pet accidents on their own, the best way is to sponge on clean water, then blot it out by spreading a clean, dry towel over the area and pressing down.

Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 18 July 2022 See More

Kids Definition

sponge 1 of 2

noun

ˈspənj

: a water animal that lives permanently attached to a solid surface (as the ocean bottom) and has a simple body of loosely connected cells with a skeleton supported by stiff fibers or hard particles

: a piece of springy absorbent material that forms the skeleton of a sponge or is manufactured and that is used for cleaning

: a pad of folded gauze used in surgery and medicine

sponge

2 of 2

verb

sponged; sponging

: to clean or wipe with a sponge

: to get something or live at the expense of another

sponge off friends

Medical Definition

sponge 1 of 2

noun

ˈspənj

: an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb liquid

: a small pad made of multiple folds of gauze or of cotton and gauze used to mop blood from a surgical incision, to carry inhalant medicaments to the nose, or to cover a superficial wound as a dressing

: a porous dressing (as of fibrin or gelatin) applied to promote wound healing

: a plastic prosthesis used in chest cavities following lung surgery

: an absorbent contraceptive device impregnated with spermicide that is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix and act as a barrier to sperm

sponge

2 of 2

transitive verb

sponged; sponging

: to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge

sponge the patient's back

sponge 1 of 2

noun

as in parasite

a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

parasite
sponger
leech
freeloader
moocher
dependent
henchman
free rider
hanger-on
idler
miser
bloodsucker
satellite
toady
sycophant
deadbeat
lackey
flunkey
flunkie
niggard
scrooge
cheapskate
piker
skinflint
stooge
tightwad
flunky
yes-man

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

benefactor
supporter
philanthropist

sponge

2 of 2

verb

as in to absorb

to take in (something liquid) through small openings the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

absorb
drink
swallow
imbibe
take up
sip
slurp
swill
swig
gulp
soak (up)
suck (up)
guzzle
quaff

as in to leech

to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility she's been sponging off of her friends while she tries to land an entry-level job on Wall Street

Synonyms & Similar Words

leech
beg
freeload
mooch
use
exploit

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of sponge are leech, parasite, sycophant, and toady. While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

The words leech and sponge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

The meanings of parasite and sponge largely overlap; however, parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

The synonyms sycophant and sponge are sometimes interchangeable, but sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

In some situations, the words toady and sponge are roughly equivalent. However, toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

单词	sponge
释义	sponge 1 of 2 noun ˈspənj 1 a(1) : an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb water (2) : a piece of sponge (as for scrubbing) (3) : a porous rubber or cellulose product used similarly to a sponge b : any of a phylum (Porifera) of aquatic chiefly marine simple invertebrate animals that have a double-walled body of loosely aggregated cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or spongin and are filter feeders that are sessile as adults 2 : a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to remove discharge) 3 : one who lives on others 4 a : a soft mixture of yeast, liquid, and flour that is allowed to rise and then mixed with additional ingredients to create bread dough b : a whipped dessert usually containing whites of eggs or gelatin c : a metal (such as platinum) obtained in porous form usually by reduction without fusion titanium sponge d : the egg mass of a crab 5 : an absorbent contraceptive device that is impregnated with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix spongelike ˈspənj-ˌlīk adjective sponge 2 of 2 verb sponged; sponging transitive verb 1 : to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge 2 : to erase or destroy with or as if with a sponge —often used with out 3 : to get by sponging on another 4 : to absorb with or as if with or in the manner of a sponge intransitive verb 1 : to absorb, soak up, or imbibe like a sponge 2 : to get something from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or good nature sponged off of her sister 3 : to dive or dredge for sponges sponger noun Synonyms Noun bloodsucker free rider freeloader hanger-on leech moocher parasite sponger Verb absorb drink imbibe soak (up) suck (up) take up See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job Verb She sponged up the spilt milk. He sponged off his face. She sponged the dirt off her shirt. She always sponges meals from us. Recent Examples on the Web Noun To get that ombré twist, Ganzoright recommends using a small makeup sponge to dab on OPI's Infinite Shine in Clean Slate, spreading the color from the nail's middle point up to the tip. Seventeen, 14 Sep. 2022 Add the bath mat to the mix and use a sponge to gently scrub it. Andrea Crowley, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 Wipe the heating element with the damp cloth or use a soft sponge to gently remove any build up. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 Run a line of caulk along the space, and then immediately use a wet sponge to remove excess. Chelsea Evers, Country Living, 6 July 2022 La'Pearl likes to use a damp sponge, while Meyers uses her ring finger to gently tap and blend for a softer finish. Allure, 31 May 2022 The kit includes an applicator sponge and buffing cloth. Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 With proper care, this sponge can last a while without getting riddled with bacteria. Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 Long-living and fast-growing, the American chestnut is a powerful sponge for greenhouse gas emissions. BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2022 Verb Butterfly sponge heads fold in half for easy, hands-free wringing. Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2022 Continuously storing a loofah or sponge in a damp area can lead to bacteria or mold growth, which can in turn leave you with some major skin irritation. Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 But reading books in Spanish is a good way to start building their vocabulary, and the younger kids are, the more their minds are able to sponge up new words. Christina Montoya Fiedler, Good Housekeeping, 22 Aug. 2022 When messy cooking causes splatters, take a damp cloth or sponge with soap and wipe off the exterior of the air fryer. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Aug. 2022 This week has desserts like Dutch chocolate cookies, churro rice crispy treats, Victoria sponge cupcakes, and Italian limoncello muffins. Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2022 Then, ring out the vinegar, thoroughly rinse the clean kitchen sponge in warm water and let dry. Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2022 Use a clean makeup brush or sponge to apply your makeup. Laken Brooks, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021 For homeowners trying to treat pet accidents on their own, the best way is to sponge on clean water, then blot it out by spreading a clean, dry towel over the area and pressing down. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 18 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English, from Old English, from Latin spongia, from Greek First Known Use Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1 Phrases Containing sponge glass sponge sponge cake sponge bath sponge cloth sponge rubber throw in the sponge glass sponge sponge cake sponge bath sponge cloth sponge rubber throw in the sponge Kids Definition sponge 1 of 2 noun ˈspənj 1 : a water animal that lives permanently attached to a solid surface (as the ocean bottom) and has a simple body of loosely connected cells with a skeleton supported by stiff fibers or hard particles 2 : a piece of springy absorbent material that forms the skeleton of a sponge or is manufactured and that is used for cleaning 3 : a pad of folded gauze used in surgery and medicine sponge 2 of 2 verb sponged; sponging 1 : to clean or wipe with a sponge 2 : to get something or live at the expense of another sponge off friends Medical Definition sponge 1 of 2 noun ˈspənj 1 : an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb liquid 2 a : a small pad made of multiple folds of gauze or of cotton and gauze used to mop blood from a surgical incision, to carry inhalant medicaments to the nose, or to cover a superficial wound as a dressing b : a porous dressing (as of fibrin or gelatin) applied to promote wound healing c : a plastic prosthesis used in chest cavities following lung surgery 3 : an absorbent contraceptive device impregnated with spermicide that is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix and act as a barrier to sperm sponge 2 of 2 transitive verb sponged; sponging : to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge sponge the patient's back sponge 1 of 2 noun as in parasite a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance parasite sponger leech freeloader moocher dependent henchman free rider hanger-on idler miser bloodsucker satellite toady sycophant deadbeat lackey flunkey flunkie niggard scrooge cheapskate piker skinflint stooge tightwad flunky yes-man Antonyms & Near Antonyms benefactor supporter philanthropist sponge 2 of 2 verb 1 as in to absorb to take in (something liquid) through small openings the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain Synonyms & Similar Words absorb drink swallow imbibe take up sip slurp swill swig gulp soak (up) suck (up) guzzle quaff 2 as in to leech to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility she's been sponging off of her friends while she tries to land an entry-level job on Wall Street Synonyms & Similar Words leech beg freeload mooch use exploit Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of sponge are leech, parasite, sycophant, and toady. While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger. a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout The words leech and sponge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage. a leech living off his family and friends The meanings of parasite and sponge largely overlap; however, parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society. a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites The synonyms sycophant and sponge are sometimes interchangeable, but sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation. a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants In some situations, the words toady and sponge are roughly equivalent. However, toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker. cultivated leaders of society and became their toady Phrases Containing sponge throw in the sponge throw in the sponge
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sponge

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing sponge

Kids Definition

noun

verb

Medical Definition

noun

transitive verb

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Phrases Containing sponge