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sponge

[spʌndʒ]

sponge Definition

  • 1a porous, absorbent pad or piece used for washing or cleaning
  • 2a primitive sedentary aquatic invertebrate with a soft porous body that is typically supported by a framework of fibers or calcareous or glassy spicules. Sponges draw in a current of water to extract nutrients and oxygen.
  • 3a person who lives at someone else's expense

Using sponge: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sponge" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    She used a sponge to clean the dishes.

  • Example

    The sponge is a simple aquatic animal that has been around for millions of years.

  • Example

    He's a sponge who never pays for anything.

sponge Synonyms and Antonyms

Phrases with sponge

  • to give up or quit, especially when facing defeat or failure

    Example

    After losing the first two sets, he decided to throw in the sponge and concede the match.

  • to live at someone else's expense without contributing anything oneself

    Example

    He's been sponging off his parents for years, refusing to get a job or pay rent.

  • a method of washing a person's body using a damp cloth or sponge instead of a full shower or bath

    Example

    The nurse gave the patient a sponge bath to help him feel more comfortable.

Origins of sponge

from Middle English 'spunch', from Old English 'spong', from Latin 'spongia', from Greek 'spongia'

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Summary: sponge in Brief

A 'sponge' [spʌndʒ] can refer to a porous pad used for cleaning, an aquatic invertebrate that extracts nutrients from water, or a person who lives at someone else's expense. Examples include 'She used a sponge to clean the dishes,' 'The sponge is a simple aquatic animal that has been around for millions of years,' and 'He's a sponge who never pays for anything.' Phrases include 'throw in the sponge,' meaning to give up, 'sponge off someone,' meaning to live at someone else's expense, and 'sponge bath,' a method of washing a person's body using a damp cloth or sponge.

How do native speakers use this expression?