Search results for 'sponge':

sponge noun 1 any of several hundred different species of aquatic, usually marine, invertebrate primitive multicellular animals that consist of a large cluster of cells attached to a solid object such as a rock and which usually live in colonies. 2 a a piece of the soft porous skeleton of this animal which is capable of holding comparatively large amounts of water and which remains soft when wet, making it particularly suitable for washing, bathing, cleaning, etc; b a piece of similarly absorbent synthetic material that is used in the same way. 3 sponge cake or pudding. 4 a wipe with a cloth or sponge in order to clean something • gave the baby's face a quick sponge. 5 colloq someone who regularly drinks a lot. verb (sponged, sponging) 1 to wash or clean with a cloth or sponge and water. 2 to mop up. 3 (usually sponge off someone) colloq to borrow money, etc from them, often without any intention of paying it back. 4 (usually sponge on someone) to survive by habitually imposing on someone else or others, expecting them to pay for things, etc • never works - just sponges on his mates. 5 to go fishing or diving for sponges. spongeable adj. throw in or up the sponge or towel see under towel.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon, from Greek spongia.