Leech

/liːtʃ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worm that belongs to the class Hirudinea.

The doctor used a leech to help with blood circulation in the patient's recovery.

A person who exploits or takes advantage of others, especially for financial gain.

He was regarded as a leech by his friends because he always borrowed money but never paid it back.

verb

To attach oneself to and feed off someone, typically in a parasitic manner.

The business was accused of leeching off government subsidies without ever contributing to the community.

From Old English 'leǣce', meaning 'physician' or 'healer', later coming to refer to the medicinal leech.

to leech off

To take advantage of someone else's resources without giving anything in return.

like a leech

Describes someone who clings to another for support or benefit.

hirudotherapy

The use of leeches in medical treatment.

parasite

An organism that lives on or in a host and benefits at the host's expense.

A person who exploits others.

Don't be a leech and start pulling your weight in this group.

Someone who borrows money without paying it back.

He's such a leech; he always asks to borrow cash and never returns it.