sponger
Lives off others
A sponger is someone who habitually lives off others' generosity without contributing—taking free meals, borrowing money without repaying, or finding ways to avoid paying their share: He's such a sponger; he never picks up a tab.
The word carries clear disapproval, implying the person could contribute but chooses not to.
scrounger
One who begs opportunistically
- moocherOne who cadges habitually
- cadgerPersistent borrower without repayment
- deadbeatPerson avoiding owed payments
bum · loafer · idler · layabout · slacker · bludger · taker · user · exploiter · leech
swab
Absorbent cleaning implement
cloth · rag · towel · squeegee · duster · scourer · washcloth · chamois · buffer · polisher
- freeloadersfreeloader, mooch, moocher, scrounger, scrounge
- hangers-onhanger-on, tagalong, leech, parasite, freeloader
- moochingmooch, moocher, mooching, freeloader, freeloading
- artillery crewgunner, loader, cannoneer, artilleryman, gun crew
- nosy peoplebusybody, snoop, snooper, meddler, eavesdropper
- burdensburden, load, onus, obligations, weight
spongerbenefactor
One who gives aid
donor · philanthropist · giver · provider · contributor
spongerself-starter
One with initiative
self-made man · independent · bootstrapper · earner · rugged individualist
spongerhard worker
Industrious, dedicated person
overachiever · go-getter · grafter · workhorse · striver
- sponge cakeAir-leavened flour confection
- sponge bathWashing without immersion
- scrub spongeTextured dish cleaner
- sea spongePorous marine animal
- makeup spongeCosmetic application tool
- dish spongeAbsorbent kitchen cleaning tool
sponge, spongy, sponges, sponged, sponging, spongiform, sponginess, spongers, sea sponge