sponge meaning

sponge as a verb

1. wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten

   Type of: wipe

2. ask for and get free; be a parasite

   Synonyms: mooch, bum, cadge, grub

   Type of: obtain

   Kinds: freeload

   Related forms: sponger

3. erase with a sponge; as of words on a blackboard

   Type of: erase

4. soak up with a sponge

   Type of: wipe up

5. gather sponges, in the ocean

   Type of: gather

   Related forms: sponger

sponge as a noun

1. a porous mass of interlacing fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals and usable to absorb water or any porous rubber or cellulose product similarly used

   Type of: absorbent material

   Related forms: spongy

2. someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily
   • she soaks up foreign languages like a sponge

   Synonyms: quick study

   Type of: learner

3. a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage

   Synonyms: leech, parasite, sponger

   Type of: follower

4. primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies

   Synonyms: poriferan, parazoan

   Type of: invertebrate

   Kinds: glass sponge

   Related forms: spongy

How to pronounce sponge

sponge is pronounced /spʌndʒ/ in British English and /spʌndʒ/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with sponge

• plunge
• lunge
• expunge
• grunge