sponger

S1P3O1N1G2E1R1
US/ˈspʌnd͡ʒɚ/

noun

One who uses a sponge.

Similar
moocherleechparasitesponge
Scrabble 10
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Meanings

nounsponger (plural spongers)

plural spongers

  1. One who uses a sponge.
  2. A parasitic hanger-on.

    Synonyms: moocher

  3. A person or vessel employed in gathering sponges from the sea.
  4. A device for sponging cloth by means of a perforated adjustable cylinder.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA parasitic hanger-on.

Similar
moocher

More synonyms by meaning

nouna follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage

Similar
leechparasitesponge
Broader
follower
Also see
bludgerbummerfreeloaderfree ridergadflyleechmoochparasitescroungerscungesmell-feastspongesucker

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From sponge + -er.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Ancient Greek παράσιτος
  • παράσιτος (parásitos)one who sponges
Bulgarian готован
  • готован (gotovan)one who sponges
Dutch klaploper
  • klaploperone who sponges
German Schnorrer
  • Schnorrerone who sponges
Irish failpéir
  • failpéirone who sponges
Latin parasītus, parasīta
  • parasītusone who sponges
  • parasītaone who sponges
Spanish cafiche, gorrón
  • caficheone who sponges
  • gorrónone who sponges
  • pedigüeñoone who sponges
  • chupópteroone who sponges
Turkish süngerci, sünger avcısı
  • süngercigatherer of sponges
  • sünger avcısıgatherer of sponges

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

presong
Cite this entry
APA

sponger. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sponger

MLA

“sponger.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sponger. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sponger,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sponger.

Source: sponger on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.