spongy

adjective

ˈspən-jē 

spongier; spongiest

1

: resembling a sponge:

a

: soft and full of cavities

spongy ice

b

: elastic, porous, and absorbent

2

a

: not firm or solid

b

: being in the form of a metallic sponge

spongy iron

3

: moist and soft like a sponge full of water

a spongy moor

sponginess noun

Synonyms

• flabby
• mushy
• pulpy
• soft
• squashy
• squishy
• squooshy

Examples of spongy in a Sentence

spongy moss covered the ground

generously pour the brandy over the cake, which is so spongy that it will absorb most of the liquid

Recent Examples on the Web

The ground was covered in a spongy synthetic mat, according to Rocky Merz at the Cincinnati Parks Department. —Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024

While sized more like a cookie, madeleines are small, spongy cakes that can be flavored simply with vanilla or modified to incorporate fruit, coffee, chocolate and more. —Cece Pascual, Washington Post, 19 July 2024

The grip is spongy and tacky, perfect for those especially sweaty days, and the large sweet spot gives you more confidence to hit power shots or short dinks. —Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2024

Marks were high all around, although the group agreed that the interior hue was more reddish than we are used to, and the filling was more spongy than springy. —Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spongy

• spongy moth
• spongy parenchyma

Kids Definition

spongy

adjective

ˈspən-jē 

spongier; spongiest

: resembling a sponge in appearance or in ability to absorb : soft and full of holes or moisture

sponginess noun

Medical Definition

spongy

adjective

ˈspən-jē 

spongier; spongiest

: resembling a sponge

especially : full of cavities : cancellous

spongy bone

sponginess noun