sponging

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

spongiaspong- · Greek · sponge

Synonyms for sponging

scrubbingn cadgingv moppingn swabbingn scroungingv latheringn toadyingn soapingn bootlickingadj

Synonyms & related words for sponging

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of sponging — including scrubbing, cadging, mopping, swabbing, scrounging, lathering. 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 sponging

Explore words related to sponging — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include sponger, parazoan, poriferan, sponged, sponges, spongeware, leech, hexactinellid. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for sponging

Common synonyms for sponging include scrubbing, cadging, mopping, swabbing, scrounging, lathering, toadying, soaping — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does sponging come from?

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