sponge

• Sustancia o material poroso, natural o sintético, que se usa para absorber líquidos y limpiar, o animal marino con cuerpo poroso.

A noun referring to a porous material, either natural or synthetic, used for absorbing liquids and cleaning, or to a marine animal with a porous body.

1. Porous cleaning toolA1formal

   A piece of porous material, originally from a sea animal, used for absorbing water and cleaning.

   Esponja de limpieza

   • She used a sponge to wipe the kitchen counter.
   • The sponge soaked up all the spilled water.
   • He squeezed the sponge dry before putting it away.

2. Quick learnerB2informal

   A person who can acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily.

   Esponja (persona que aprende rápido)

   • The new intern is a real sponge, picking up complex tasks in days.
   • She's a sponge for information, always asking insightful questions.
   • He's a sponge when it comes to languages; he learned Spanish in three months.

   Sinónimosquick study

3. Dependent followerC1informal

   A person who hangs around others, hoping to gain something without giving anything in return.

   Gorrón

   • He's just a sponge, always mooching off his wealthy friends.
   • She's tired of being a sponge and wants to become independent.
   • The party was full of sponges looking for free drinks.

   Sinónimoscadgerfreeloaderhanger-onleechmoocherparasitescroungersponger

4. Marine animalB1formalscientific

   A simple, primitive aquatic animal with a porous body that lives attached to surfaces in the ocean.

   Esponja marina

   • Sponges are among the oldest living animals on Earth.
   • The coral reef was home to many colorful sponges.
   • Scientists discovered a new species of sponge in the deep sea.

   Sinónimosporiferan

• Verbo que designa limpiar o frotar con una esponja, o en sentido figurado, absorber algo o aprovecharse de otros sin dar nada a cambio.

A verb used to indicate the act of wiping or cleaning with a sponge, or figuratively, to absorb or take something without giving back.

1. Clean with a spongeA2formal

   To wipe or clean a surface using a sponge, often to remove dirt or moisture.

   Limpiar con esponja

   • She sponged the kitchen counter after cooking.
   • He carefully sponged the stain off the carpet.
   • The nurse sponged the patient's forehead with cool water.

   Sinónimoscleanmopsponge downswabwashwipe

2. Obtain without payingB2informal

   To get something, especially money or food, from others without giving anything in return; to live off others.

   Vivir a costa de otros

   • He's always sponging off his friends for meals.
   • She sponged a free ticket to the concert from her cousin.
   • Stop sponging and get a job!

   Sinónimosbumcadgefreeloadmoochscrounge

   Antónimosearnpayrepay

3. Erase with a spongeB1formal

   To remove written marks, such as words on a blackboard, using a damp sponge.

   Borrar con esponja

   • The teacher sponged the equations off the board.
   • He sponged the chalk marks clean before the next class.
   • She used a wet sponge to erase the drawing.

   Sinónimoscleaneraserub outwipe

4. Absorb liquidB1formal

   To soak up or take in liquid using a sponge or similar material.

   Absorber líquido

   • The cloth sponged up the spilled water quickly.
   • Use a paper towel to sponge the excess oil from the pan.
   • The sponge can sponge up to ten times its weight in water.

   Sinónimosabsorbblotmop upsoak upsop uptake up

   Antónimosdraindrywring

5. Gather spongesC1formal

   To collect natural sponges from the ocean, typically by diving.

   Recolectar esponjas

   • The divers sponged along the coral reef for hours.
   • They used to sponge in the Mediterranean for a living.
   • Sponging is a traditional occupation in some coastal villages.

Variantes phrasalsponge downsponge offsponge onsponge up