Sponger: meaning, definitions and examples
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sponger
[ ˈspʌndʒər ]
sea creature
A sponger is a type of sea creature that belongs to the phylum Porifera. Spongers are filter-feeders, meaning they obtain food by filtering water through their bodies. They are known for their ability to absorb and retain water, making them useful in various applications.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Spongers play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by filtering water and removing impurities.
- The natural sponges harvested by spongers are used in cosmetics and cleaning products.
informal
In informal language, a sponger refers to a person who habitually relies on others for support or favors without giving anything in return. This term is often used pejoratively to criticize someone for being lazy or dependent.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He's always asking to borrow money from his friends - he's such a sponger!
- Don't be a sponger and help out with the chores around the house.
Translations
Translations of the word "sponger" in other languages:
🇵🇹 esponja
- parasita
- explorador
🇮🇳 स्पंज
- परजीवी
- शोषणकर्ता
🇩🇪 Schwamm
- Parasit
- Schmarotzer
🇮🇩 spons
- parasit
- penghisap
🇺🇦 губка
- паразит
- нахлібник
🇵🇱 gąbka
- pasożyt
- darmozjad
🇯🇵 スポンジ
- 寄生虫
- 居候
🇫🇷 éponge
- parasite
- profiteur
🇪🇸 esponja
- parásito
- gorrón
🇹🇷 sünger
- parazit
- asalak
🇰🇷 스펀지
- 기생충
- 빌붙는 사람
🇸🇦 إسفنجة
- طفيلي
- متطفل
🇨🇿 houba
- parazit
- příživník
🇸🇰 huba
- parazit
- príživník
🇨🇳 海绵
- 寄生虫
- 寄生者
🇸🇮 goba
- parazit
- zajedavec
🇮🇸 svampur
- sníkjudýr
- sníkjudólgur
🇰🇿 губка
- паразит
- масыл
🇬🇪 სპონგი
- პარაზიტი
- მიკერძოებული
🇦🇿 süngər
- parazit
- əyyaş
🇲🇽 esponja
- parásito
- gorrón
Word origin
The word 'sponger' has its origins in the Middle English term 'spounge,' which came from the Latin word 'spongia' and the Greek word 'spongia.' Sponges have been used by humans for thousands of years for cleaning, bathing, and other purposes. The figurative use of 'sponger' to describe a person who takes advantage of others emerged in the 19th century.