Meaning of sponge In English

• 0 a soft substance that is full of small holes and can absorb a lot of liquid, and is used for washing and cleaning

  • Give it a sponge with a damp cloth - that will remove the blood stains.

• 1 a soft cake made with eggs, sugar, and flour and usually a type of fat such as butter

• 2 to get money, food, etc. from other people, especially in order to live without working:

  • sponging off the state

• 3 to rub something or someone with a wet sponge or cloth, especially to clean it, him, or her:

  • Most food stains will come off if you sponge the material with a little detergent.

  • The doctor told me to sponge Erik down with cold water in order to lower his temperature.

• 4 a substance that is full of holes, soft when wet, and able to absorb a lot of liquid, used for washing and cleaning:

  • [ C ] He wiped off the table with a soapy sponge.

• 5 to get money, food, or other needs from other people rather than by taking care of yourself, or to live by getting help from other people:

  • [ I ] He’s been sponging off her for years.

• 6 to wash or clean, esp. by using a wet sponge or cloth:

  • Sponge the stain promptly with cold water.

  • [ M ] She’s always sponging off the kitchen counter.