sponge

/spʌndʒ/
noun
  1. A soft, light, porous material used for cleaning or absorbing liquid, either natural (from sea animals) or synthetic.
    • I need a new sponge for washing the dishes.
    • She used a sponge to wipe the kitchen counter.
    • The artist dabbed paint onto the canvas with a sponge.
  2. A person who relies on others for money or support without giving anything in return.
    • He's a sponge who never pays for his own meals.
    • Stop being a sponge and get a job.
    • She called him a sponge because he always borrowed money and never repaid it.
  3. A light, porous cake or dessert, especially sponge cake.
    • The dessert was a lemon sponge with fresh berries.
    • She baked a vanilla sponge for the party.
    • This sponge is so light and fluffy.
  4. A piece of absorbent material used as a contraceptive device.
    • Sponges are not as commonly used as other methods.
    • She learned how to insert the sponge correctly.
    • The contraceptive sponge is one option for birth control.
Synonyms
verb
  1. To wipe or clean with a sponge.
    • I need to sponge the bathroom sink.
    • She sponged the spilled juice off the table.
    • He sponged the car windows until they were streak-free.
  2. To absorb liquid using a sponge or similar material.
    • He sponged the excess paint from the brush.
    • The paper towel sponged the oil from the pan.
    • Use a cloth to sponge up the water from the floor.
  3. To obtain money, food, or other benefits from someone without giving anything in return; to mooch.
    • They accused him of sponging on the charity.
    • She sponged a free dinner from her neighbor.
    • He's always sponging off his friends for rent money.