loofah

American  

[loo-fuh] / ˈlu fə /

Also loofa,

noun

1. Also called rag gourd.  Also called dishcloth gourd. 

   1. any of several tropical vines of the genus Luffa, of the gourd family, bearing large, elongated fruit.

   2. the fruit of such a vine.

2. Also called vegetable sponge.  the dried, fibrous interior of this fruit, used as a sponge.

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loofah British  

/ ˈluːfə /

noun

1. the fibrous interior of the fruit of the dishcloth gourd, which is dried, bleached, and used as a bath sponge or for scrubbing

2. another name for dishcloth gourd

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Etymology

Origin of loofah

First recorded in 1860–65; from New Latin Luffa the genus, from Arabic lūf

Example Sentences

“A lot of people reacted like it was quite an aggressive loofah shower of emotion. It was good for them, but it hurt!”

From New York Times

This is a natural exfoliating product that can help smooth your skin, Parthasarathy said, and is typically more helpful than a loofah.

From Washington Post

Vellabox's high-quality candles are a great, affordable gesture that come in an array of luxury and seasonal scents, along with hand lotion, a loofah, and other surprise gifts.

From The Verge

The luffa or loofah plant has large, single flowers, golden yellow and about three inches across.

From Washington Post

Indigenous to the African continent, watermelons are kin to cucumbers, pumpkins and loofah.

From New York Times