spongy
/'spʌndʤi/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having a soft, porous, and compressible texture that can absorb and release liquid: Resembling a natural sponge in physical structure and absorbent properties.
- Yielding easily to pressure; soft and springy: Describing a material or substance that is not firm and can be easily compressed or squashed.
Usage and Examples
Describing Texture and Absorbency:
- The spongy moss soaked up the rainwater. (The moss, being soft and porous, absorbed the water.)
- Use a spongy cloth to wipe the spill. (Use a cloth that is absorbent like a sponge.)
Describing Softness and Compressibility:
- The old mattress was uncomfortably spongy. (The mattress was too soft and yielded too much under pressure.)
- After overcooking, the cake turned out dense and spongy. (The cake had a wet, soft, and compressible texture.)
Advanced Usage
- In Scientific/Biological Contexts:
- The cancellous bone at the ends of long bones has a spongy interior. (This refers to a porous, lattice-like biological structure.)
- In Descriptive Language:
- The ground was spongy after days of rain. (This describes land that is soft, wet, and yields underfoot.)
Variants and Related Words
- Sponge (n): A porous aquatic animal or a piece of porous material used for absorption.
- Sponginess (n): The quality or state of being spongy.
Synonyms
- Porous: Full of tiny holes that allow liquid or air to pass through.
- Absorbent: Able to soak up liquid easily.
- Compressible: Able to be pressed into a smaller volume.
- Springy: Returning to its original shape after being pressed; elastic.
- Squashy: Easily squashed or compressed; soft.
Antonyms
- Solid: Firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid.
- Nonporous: Not allowing liquid or air to pass through.
- Rigid: Unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible.
- Firm: Solidly in place; not soft or yielding.
Related Phrases and Idioms
(Note: Direct idioms using "spongy" are uncommon. The related phrases below describe the concept.) - To have a spongy consistency: To be soft, moist, and full of small holes. - Spongy tissue: A biological term for lightweight, porous tissue (e.g., in bones or plants).
Adjective
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like a sponge in being able to absorb liquids and yield it back when compressed
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easily squashed; resembling a sponge in having soft porous texture and compressibility
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spongy bread
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