# sponge

/ˈspəndʒ/ (US) · /spˈʌndʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sponge
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. cleaning tool

noun · CEFR A2

a soft, porous tool used for washing or cleaning that can hold a lot of water.

For teachers: a piece of porous material, either natural or synthetic, used for washing, scrubbing, or absorbing liquids.

- He used a large sponge and soapy water to wash the car.
- The janitor dipped the synthetic sponge into the bucket, ensuring it was fully saturated before tackling the grime on the floorboards.

### 2. sea animal

noun · CEFR B2

a simple sea animal that stays in one place and has a body full of holes.

For teachers: a primitive multicellular aquatic animal of the phylum Porifera, characterised by a porous skeleton.

- Divers found a beautiful orange sponge growing on the coral reef.
- Marine biologists are studying how certain species of sponge filter nutrients from the surrounding seawater through their intricate canal systems.

### 3. light cake

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a very light, soft cake made with eggs, sugar, and flour.

For teachers: a light, aerated cake or pudding with a porous texture, typically produced by whisking eggs and sugar.

- She baked a Victoria sponge with jam and cream for the party.
- The chef demonstrated how to fold the flour into the egg mixture gently to maintain the air bubbles required for a perfect sponge.

### 4. social parasite

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who always takes money or food from others without giving anything back.

For teachers: a person who habitually relies on or exploits the generosity of others for financial or material gain.

- He is such a sponge; he never pays for his own drinks.
- The family eventually grew tired of his behaviour, viewing him as a professional sponge who had no intention of seeking employment.

### 5. to clean or wipe

verb · CEFR B1

to wash or wipe something using a sponge.

For teachers: to clean, wipe, or absorb liquid from a surface using a sponge or similar absorbent material.

- I need to sponge the coffee stain off the rug before it dries.
- The nurse gently sponged the patient's forehead with cool water to help reduce the fever.

### 6. to live off others

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to get money or food from other people by taking advantage of their kindness.

For teachers: to obtain money, food, or other resources from others through imposition or by exploiting their generosity.

- He has been sponging off his parents for years instead of finding a job.
- The protagonist of the novel is a charming but lazy man who survives by sponging off his wealthy acquaintances in the city.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'off'.

### 7. to absorb information

verb · CEFR B2

to learn or take in new information very quickly and easily.

For teachers: to absorb or take in ideas, information, or knowledge readily and in large quantities.

- The children are like little sponges, picking up every new word they hear.
- During her first week at the internship, she sponged up every bit of technical knowledge the senior engineers were willing to share.

## Examples

- I used a wet sponge to clean the kitchen table.
- After the spill, she grabbed a large sponge to soak up the milk before it reached the carpet.
- The artisan preferred using a natural sea sponge for the final glaze, as its irregular texture created a more organic finish than any synthetic alternative could provide.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.