loofah

noun

loo·​fah ˈlü-fə How to pronounce loofah (audio)
variants or luffa
1
: any of a genus (Luffa) of Old World tropical plants of the gourd family with white to yellow flowers and large usually elongate fruits that are sometimes eaten as vegetables when immature
also : the fruit of a loofah
2
: a sponge consisting of the fibrous interior of the mature dried fruit of a loofah (especially Luffa aegyptiaca synonym L. cylindrica)

Examples of loofah in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Seraphic Skincare Exfoliating Mitts 20/21 Seraphic Skincare Exfoliating Mitts $17 $13 Amazon Tell them to bid their loofah adieu in favor of Seraphic Skincare Exfoliating Mitts. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 5 Oct. 2024 Both the larger caddies and the soap holders are equipped with hooks, which come in handy for hanging loofahs, washcloths, or shower squeegees. Maggie Horton, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2024 These stainless steel double hooks are convenient for hanging towels, robes, washcloths, hair towels, loofahs, or sponges. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2024 An in-shower organizer is a simple way to keep toiletry items like shampoo, conditioner, soap, and loofahs neatly corralled rather than spread about the shower or on the shower floor. Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for loofah 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin luffa, from Arabic lūf

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of loofah was in 1887

Dictionary Entries Near loofah

Cite this Entry

“Loofah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loofah. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

loofah

noun
loof·​ah
variants also luffa
ˈlü-fə
: any of various Old World tropical plants of the gourd family with large fruits
also : a sponge consisting of the fiber-containing skeleton of its fruit
Etymology

derived from Arabic lūf "loofah"

More from Merriam-Webster on loofah

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!