sponger
pronunciation
How to pronounce sponger in British English:
UK [ˈspʌndʒə(r)]
How to pronounce sponger in American English:
US [ˈspʌndʒɚ]
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- Noun:
- a workman employed to collect sponges
- a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage
Word Origin
- sponger (n.)
- 1670s, "parasite," agent noun from sponge (v.) in figurative sense. As a job on a cannon crew, by 1828.
Example
- 1. A strong man is not willing to be a loafer or sponger .
- 2. A man may as well expect to grow sponger by always eating as wiser by always reading .
- 3. He 's a real sponger ; I don 't think he 's ever had a job .