sponge

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[edit] English

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[edit] Etymology

Old English spunge, from Latin spongia, from Ancient Greek σπογγιά (spongia), related to σπόγγος (spongos).

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
sponge

Plural
countable and uncountable; plural sponges

sponge (countable and uncountable; plural sponges)

A marine sponge can be used as a washing sponge
  1. (countable) Any of various marine invertebrates, mostly of the phylum Porifera, that have a porous skeleton often of silica.
  2. (countable) A piece of porous material used for washing (originally made from the invertebrates, now often made of plastic).
  3. (uncountable) A porous material such as sponges consist of.
  4. (informal) A heavy drinker.
  5. (countable, uncountable) A type of light cake; sponge cake.
  6. (countable, uncountable, British) A type of steamed pudding.
  7. (slang) A person who takes advantage of the generosity of others (abstractly imagined to absorb or soak up the money or efforts of others like a sponge).

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[edit] Derived terms

[edit] See also

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[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to sponge

Third person singular
sponges

Simple past
sponged

Past participle
sponged

Present participle
sponging

to sponge (third-person singular simple present sponges, present participle sponging, simple past and past participle sponged)

  1. (slang) To take advantage of the kindness of others.
    He has been sponging off his friends for a month now.
  2. To clean, soak up, or dab with a sponge.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Translations