What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
freeloader
Example
He's always asking for money but never pays anyone back. He's such a freeloader. [freeloader: noun]
Example
Stop freeloading off your parents and get a job. [freeloading: gerund or present participle]
sponger
Example
She's always asking to borrow things but never returns them. She's such a sponger. [sponger: noun]
Example
He's been sponging off his friends for months, it's time he got his act together. [sponging: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Freeloader is more commonly used in American English, while sponger is more commonly used in British English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between freeloader and sponger?
Both freeloader and sponger are informal words and should be used with caution in formal situations.
