luffa

American  

[loo-fuh, luhf-uh] / ˈlu fə, ˈlʌf ə /

noun

1. a variant of loofah.

---

luffa British  

/ ˈlʌfə /

noun

1. any tropical climbing plant of the cucurbitaceous genus Luffa, esp the dishcloth gourd

2. another name for loofah

---

Example Sentences

The New York design firm The Living has constructed a tall, cylinder-shaped room made of luffa — yes, the sponge — to showcase what the organization’s founder, David Benjamin, described as “probiotic architecture.”

From New York Times

A tropical luffa grows alongside purple amaranth while ladybugs are drawn to the tall, fragrant stalks of fennel.

From Los Angeles Times

The lounge had a big-screen TV and three drooping purple balloons tied to the plume of a potted fern; a big plastic column full of multicolored drugstore luffas stood like a sentinel in the corner.

From New York Times

Clam soup with luffa is now my new favorite cold remedy.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Lei takes a scattershot approach to menu management at Spy C. The walls are papered with a diner’s worth of rotating specials like braised and fried trotters, and steamed luffa.

From New York Times