How to pronounce sponge
Say it like SPUHNJ. Sponge is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sponge. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SPUHNJ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sponge pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SPUHNJSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of sponge
American and British speakers say sponge in essentially the same way: /spʌndʒ/ in the US and /spʌndʒ/ in the UK.
British respelling: SPUHNJ.
What does sponge mean?
- a porous mass of interlacing fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals and usable to absorb water or any porous rubber or cellulose product similarly used
- someone able to acquire new knowledge and skills rapidly and easily“she soaks up foreign languages like a sponge”
- a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage
- wipe with a sponge, so as to clean or moisten
- ask for and get free; be a parasite
- erase with a sponge; as of words on a blackboard
Words that rhyme with sponge
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sponge.
Questions about saying sponge
How do you pronounce sponge?
Say SPUHNJ. The American pronunciation is /spʌndʒ/. In British English it is /spʌndʒ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sponge?
Sponge is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SPUHNJ.
Do Americans and Brits say sponge the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /spʌndʒ/ and the British form is /spʌndʒ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.