Slangalso written funsponge

fun sponge

Meaning

A fun sponge is someone who spoils an enjoyable experience or does not want others to enjoy themselves.

How “fun sponge” is used

A person who takes the enjoyment out of an activity or discourages other people from having fun.12

Tone
Informal. Wiktionary labels it mildly derogatory and usually endearing; the phrase can sound critical even when meant affectionately.
Where you’ll see it
Countable noun. Cambridge defines the person sense. Wiktionary compares it with killjoy, buzzkill, and spoilsport.

Examples

  • Original illustrative example: I felt like a fun sponge when I asked everyone to turn the music down.
  • Original illustrative example: Max called me a funsponge because I wanted to leave the party early.

Examples are written for this site to show typical use. They are not quotes.

Usage notes

  • Cambridge also records the one-word spelling funsponge.
  • Wiktionary labels the expression figurative, informal, mildly derogatory, and usually endearing. Those labels describe common tone, not a promise that everyone will take it as a joke.
  • Wiktionary also extends the expression to something that takes the fun out of life. Cambridge focuses on a person.
  • Every example here is an original illustration, not a quotation about a real person.

Origin

Origin not verified.

Sources

  1. fun sponge, Cambridge Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.orgAccessed Back to text

    https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/fun-sponge

  2. fun sponge, Wiktionary

    en.wiktionary.orgAccessed Back to text

    https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fun_sponge