spongy

[ spuhn-jee ]

adjective

, spon·gi·er, spon·gi·est.

1. of the nature of or resembling a sponge; light, porous, and elastic or readily compressible, as pith or bread.
2. having the absorbent characteristics of a sponge; absorbing or holding liquid or yielding liquid when pressed.
3. of or relating to a sponge.
4. lacking in firmness or solidity:

   spongy wood; a spongy feeling from the car brakes.

5. moist and soft; soggy:

   spongy ground.

6. porous but hard, as bone.

ˈspongy

/ ˈspʌndʒɪ /

adjective

1. of or resembling a sponge, esp in texture, porosity, elasticity, or compressibility

   spongy bone

   spongy bread

2. of or like a sponge in respect of its capacity to absorb fluid and yield it when compressed

Derived Forms

• ˈsponginess, noun
• ˈspongily, adverb

Other Words From

• spongi·ly adverb
• spongi·ness noun
• un·spongy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spongy¹

First recorded in 1530–40; sponge + -y ¹

Example Sentences

In order to do this, the stem cells that manufacture red blood cells in our spongy bone marrow are harvested.

From BBC

“If it feels light and spongy and there’s any roots popping up, that is almost surely a tree that’s falling over,” he said.

From Seattle Times

When the invasive spongy moth is in its caterpillar phase, it isn’t a picky eater.

From Seattle Times

I swarmed up him, over the life preserver, spongy with all its milkweed inside.

From Literature

Mammal bones usually have a solid exterior and are spongy or hollow in the center.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• mushy
• porous
• rubbery
• soft
• springy
• squishy