Definition of Sponge in English :

Define Sponge in English

Sponge meaning in English

Meaning of Sponge in English

Pronunciation of Sponge in English

Sponge pronunciation in English

Pronounce Sponge in English

Sponge

see synonyms of sponge

Noun

1. sponge

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

2. quick study, sponge

someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily

Example Sentences:
'she soaks up foreign languages like a sponge'

3. leech, parasite, sponge, sponger

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

4. parazoan, poriferan, sponge

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

Verb

5. sponge

wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten

6. bum, cadge, grub, mooch, sponge

ask for and get free; be a parasite

7. sponge

erase with a sponge; as of words on a blackboard

8. sponge

soak up with a sponge

9. sponge

gather sponges, in the ocean

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.


Sponge

see synonyms of sponge
noun
1. 
any multicellular typically marine animal of the phylum Porifera, usually occurring in complex sessile colonies in which the porous body is supported by a fibrous, calcareous, or siliceous skeletal framework
2. 
a piece of the light porous highly absorbent elastic skeleton of certain sponges, used in bathing, cleaning, etc
See also spongin
3. 
any of a number of light porous elastic materials resembling a sponge
4.  another word for sponger (sense 1)
5. informal
a person who indulges in heavy drinking
6. 
leavened dough, esp before kneading
7.  short for sponge cake
8. Also called: sponge pudding British
a light steamed or baked pudding, spongy in texture, made with various flavourings or fruit
9. 
porous metal produced by electrolysis or by reducing a metal compound without fusion or sintering and capable of absorbing large quantities of gas
platinum sponge
10. 
a rub with a sponge
11.  throw in the sponge
verb
12. (tr; often foll by off or down)
to clean (something) by wiping or rubbing with a damp or wet sponge
13. (tr; usually foll by off, away, out, etc)
to remove (marks, etc) by rubbing with a damp or wet sponge or cloth
14. (when tr, often foll by up)
to absorb (liquids, esp when spilt) in the manner of a sponge
15. (transitive; often foll by off)
to get (something) from (someone) by presuming on his or her generosity
to sponge a meal off someone
16. (intr; often foll by off or on)
to obtain one's subsistence, welfare, etc, unjustifiably (from)
he sponges off his friends
17. (intransitive)
to go collecting sponges

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers


Sponge

see synonyms of sponge
noun
1. 
any of a phylum (Porifera) of simple, aquatic, sessile animals having a porous structure and a tough, often siliceous or calcareous, skeleton
2. 
the elastic skeleton, or a piece of the skeleton, of certain sponges, light in weight and highly absorbent, used for washing surfaces, in bathing, etc.
3. 
any substance like this
; specif.,
a. 
a piece of spongy plastic, cellulose, rubber, etc., used like natural sponge
b. 
a pad of gauze or cotton, as used in surgery
c. 
a light dessert made of whipped gelatin and beaten egg whites or whipped cream
d. 
raised dough, as for bread
e. 
any of several metals, as platinum, found in a porous mass
4. 
a. 
a person having a spongelike capacity, as for drink, knowledge, etc.
b.  Informal
sponger (sense 3)
verb transitiveWord forms: sponged or ˈsponging
5. 
to use a sponge on so as to dampen, wipe clean, etc.
6. 
to remove or obliterate with or as with a damp sponge
usually with out, off, away, etc.
7. 
to absorb with, as with, or like a sponge
often with up
8.  Informal
to get without cost, as by begging, imposition, etc.
verb intransitive
9. 
to gather sponges from the sea
10. 
to take up liquid like a sponge
11.  Informal
to be a sponger (sense 3)
often with off or on

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.


Sponge

see synonyms of sponge
n.
1.
a. Any of numerous aquatic, chiefly marine filter-feeding invertebrate animals of the phylum Porifera, characteristically having a porous skeleton composed of fibrous material or siliceous or calcareous spicules and often forming colonies attached to an underwater surface. Also called poriferan.
b. A piece of the absorbent skeleton of certain of these organisms, or a piece of plastic or another material that is similar in absorbency, used for cleaning, bathing, and other purposes.
2. Metal in a porous, brittle form, as after the removal of other metals in processing, used as a raw material in manufacturing.
3. A gauze pad used to absorb blood and other fluids, as in surgery or the dressing of a wound.
4. A small absorbent contraceptive pad that contains a spermicide and is placed against the cervix of the uterus before sexual intercourse.
5. Dough that has been or is being leavened.
6. A light cake, such as sponge cake.
7. Informal One who habitually depends on others for one's own maintenance.
8. Slang A person who drinks large amounts of alcohol.
v. sponged, spong·ing, spong·es
v.tr.
1. To moisten, wipe, or clean with a sponge or cloth: sponge off the table.
2. To remove or absorb with a sponge or cloth: sponge off the sweat; sponge up the mess.
3. To apply or daub with a sponge: sponge paint on the wall.
4. Informal To obtain free, as by begging or freeloading: sponge a meal.
v.intr.
1. To harvest sponges.
2. Informal To obtain something such as food or money by relying on the generosity of others: sponged off her parents.

The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.