spongy
Americanadjective
-
of the nature of or resembling a sponge; light, porous, and elastic or readily compressible, as pith or bread.
-
having the absorbent characteristics of a sponge; absorbing or holding liquid or yielding liquid when pressed.
-
of or relating to a sponge.
-
lacking in firmness or solidity.
spongy wood; a spongy feeling from the car brakes.
-
moist and soft; soggy.
spongy ground.
-
porous but hard, as bone.
adjective
-
of or resembling a sponge, esp in texture, porosity, elasticity, or compressibility
spongy bread
spongy bone
-
of or like a sponge in respect of its capacity to absorb fluid and yield it when compressed
Other Word Forms
- spongily adverb
- sponginess noun
- unspongy adjective
Etymology
Origin of spongy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Due to the water’s high mineral content, the fall’s boulders have developed a spongy texture that allows you to climb barefoot while water gushes over your feet.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026
The result -- a spongy, tofu-textured mass -- is dried, turned out and delivered.
From Barron's • Nov. 13, 2025
Its paint peeled, and its original wooden floors turned spongy.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2025
Fruit sandwiches are typically made of sweetened, soft, spongy white bread filled with whipped cream and fruit, typically strawberries or clementine, says Shuko Oda, chef at Koya restaurant in London.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025
I land with a wet thunk onto a spongy surface.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
