Sponged: meaning, definitions and examples
🧽
sponged
[ spʌndʒd ]
taking in liquid
To sponge means to absorb or soak up a liquid, typically using a sponge, cloth, or similar material. This action can also refer to the act of taking advantage of someone else's resources or generosity without offering anything in return. The term has a dual meaning and can convey both a physical act of absorbing and a metaphorical sense of dependency or exploitation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She sponged the spilled juice off the table.
- He sponged up all the extra water with a towel.
- The sponge sponged up the paint effortlessly.
living off others
In a more colloquial context, to sponge can mean to obtain food, money, or other benefits from someone else without reciprocating or contributing. This usage often carries a negative connotation, implying laziness or opportunism. It can refer to people who rely on friends or family for support without making an effort to be self-sufficient.
Synonyms
leech, mooch, parasite, scrounge.
Examples of usage
- He tends to sponge off his wealthy relatives.
- It's frustrating when people sponge from their friends.
- She always sponges food from the office fridge.
Translations
Translations of the word "sponged" in other languages:
🇵🇹 esponjado
🇮🇳 स्पंज किया हुआ
🇩🇪 schwammig
🇮🇩 dijerap
🇺🇦 спонжований
🇵🇱 gąbczasty
🇯🇵 スポンジ状の
🇫🇷 éponge
🇪🇸 esponjado
🇹🇷 süngerimsi
🇰🇷 스펀지 같은
🇸🇦 مَكْنُوس
🇨🇿 houbovitý
🇸🇰 hubovitý
🇨🇳 海绵状的
🇸🇮 gobast
🇮🇸 safnandi
🇰🇿 губка тәрізді
🇬🇪 სპონგური
🇦🇿 süngərvari
🇲🇽 esponjado
Etymology
The word 'sponge' originates from the Middle English term 'sponge', which comes from the Old English 'sponcan', meaning 'to absorb'. It is derived from the Latin 'spongia', which in turn comes from the Greek 'spongia', referring to the marine organism used for cleaning and soaking. The term's evolution reflects its association with absorbing liquids, as sponges are natural materials that have been used since ancient times for various domestic and industrial purposes. Over time, 'to sponge' evolved as a verb to also imply the act of relying on others for support, further enriching its meaning in contemporary English. As language evolved, the word came to touch on themes of self-sufficiency and reliance, symbolizing a broader social commentary on dependency.