sponge

noun

primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework

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

someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily

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

verb

gather sponges, in the ocean

soak up with a sponge

erase with a sponge

ask for and get free

wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten

Roots

spongiasponge- · Greek · sponge

Synonyms for sponge

spongern absorbentadj foamn leechn toweln swabv mopv scrubbingn lathern rubbern

Synonyms & related words for sponge

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of sponge — including sponger, absorbent, foam, leech, towel, swab. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to sponge

Explore words related to sponge — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include parazoan, poriferan, hexactinellid, spongious, tetractine, spongicolous, spongeable, disponge. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for sponge

Common synonyms for sponge include sponger, absorbent, foam, leech, towel, swab, mop, scrubbing — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does sponge come from?

The word sponge breaks down into one root of Greek origin: the root sponge-, from Greek spongia (“sponge”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.