sponge

//spʌndʒ//
B1Frequency Level 11Neutral
Visual representation of sponge

Noun

spongeSingular
spongesPlural
1

A porous, absorbent marine animal or a piece of its soft skeleton used for cleaning, bathing, or absorbing liquids.

She used a sponge to wipe the kitchen counter.

2

A soft, porous synthetic material used for cleaning or absorbing liquids.

I used a sponge to wipe the kitchen counter.

3

A light, porous cake or pudding.

My grandmother baked a delicious lemon sponge for dessert.

4

A person who habitually takes advantage of others' generosity without giving anything in return.

He's such a sponge—he never pays for his own meals.

Synonym

Verb

spongeInfinitive
spongePresent tense
spongedPast tense
spongedPast participle
spongingPresent participle
spongesThird-person singular
1

To wipe, clean, or absorb with or as if with a sponge.

She sponged the spilled juice off the table.

2

To obtain something from others without paying or working for it; to live off others.

He always sponges money off his friends.