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spo|ken /spoʊ kən/ Spoken is the past participle of speak .

-spoken /-spoʊ kən/ COMB -spoken combines with adverbs and adjectives to form adjectives which indicate how someone speaks. □  The woman was smartly dressed and well-spoken. □  …a soft-spoken man in his early thirties.

spo |ken wo rd N‑SING The spoken word is used to refer to language expressed in speech, for example in contrast to written texts or music. □  The spoken word has more impact than the written word.

spokes|man ◆◇◇ /spoʊ ksmən/ (spokesmen ) N‑COUNT A spokesman is a male spokesperson. □  A U.N. spokesman said that the mission will carry 20 tons of relief supplies.

spokes|person ◆◇◇ /spoʊ kspɜː ^r s ^ə n/ (spokespersons or spokespeople ) N‑COUNT A spokesperson is a person who speaks as the representative of a group or organization. □  A spokesperson for Amnesty, Norma Johnston, describes some cases.

spokes|woman ◆◇◇ /spoʊ kswʊmən/ (spokeswomen ) N‑COUNT A spokeswoman is a female spokesperson. □  A United Nations spokeswoman in New York said the request would be considered.

sponge /spʌ ndʒ/ (sponges , sponging , sponged )

1 N‑COUNT Sponge is a very light soft substance with lots of little holes in it, which can be either artificial or natural. It is used to clean things or as a soft layer. □  …a sponge mattress.

2 N‑COUNT A sponge is a sea animal with a soft round body made of natural sponge.

3 N‑COUNT A sponge is a piece of sponge that you use for washing yourself or for cleaning things. □  He wiped off the table with a sponge.

4 VERB If you sponge something, you clean it by wiping it with a wet sponge. □ [V n] Fill a bowl with water and gently sponge your face and body. ● PHRASAL VERB Sponge down means the same as sponge . □ [V n P ] If your child's temperature rises, sponge her down gently with tepid water. [Also V P n (not pron)]

5 N‑VAR A sponge is a light cake or pudding made from flour, eggs, sugar, and sometimes fat. □  It makes a superb filling for cakes and sponges.

6 VERB If you say that someone sponges off other people or sponges on them, you mean that they regularly get money from other people when they should be trying to support themselves. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + off ] He should just get an honest job and stop sponging off the rest of us! □ [V + on ] He spent his life grumbling about missed opportunities and sponging on his father for money.

sponge|bag /spʌ ndʒbæg/ (spongebags ) also sponge bag N‑COUNT A spongebag is a small bag in which you keep things such as soap and a toothbrush when you are travelling. [BRIT ]

spo nge cake (sponge cakes ) N‑VAR A sponge cake is a very light cake made from flour, eggs, and sometimes fat.

spong|er /spʌ ndʒə ^r / (spongers ) N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a sponger , you mean that they sponge off other people or organizations. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

spon|gy /spʌ ndʒi/ ADJ Something that is spongy is soft and can be pressed in, like a sponge. □  The earth was spongy from rain.

spon|sor ◆◇◇ /spɒ nsə ^r / (sponsors , sponsoring , sponsored )

1 VERB If an organization or an individual sponsors something such as an event or someone's training, they pay some or all of the expenses connected with it, often in order to get publicity for themselves. □ [be V -ed] The competition was sponsored by Ruinart Champagne.

2 VERB In Britain, if you sponsor someone who is doing something to raise money for charity, for example trying to walk a certain distance, you agree to give them a sum of money for the charity if they succeed in doing it. □ [V n] Please could you sponsor me for my school's campaign for Help the Aged?