Leech
/liːtʃ/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, a leech is a small, soft-bodied animal that sticks to other creatures to drink their blood. People often think of leeches as parasites because they live off others. As a verb, "to leech" means to take or get something (like money, energy, or help) from someone else without giving much back, often in a way that is unfair or annoying.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Noun: A blood-sucking worm that attaches to animals or people
- •The doctor used leeches in old medical treatments.
- •Leeches live in freshwater and attach to fish or mammals.
- •Be careful when swimming in the lake; leeches might be in the water.
Verb: To take advantage of someone by taking their resources without giving back
- •He leeched off his friends by always asking for money but never paying them back.
- •Some websites leech content from others without permission.
- •She felt like her coworker was leeching her ideas for personal gain.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "leech" like "bug," but instead of just being annoying, it takes something important from you, like your blood or energy.
- ✓Picture a small worm slowly sticking to your skin and sucking blood—this is a leech in nature.
- ✓It's the feeling when someone keeps asking you for help but never helps you in return.
- ✓Sounds like "leech" → imagine a "leash" holding you tight while something takes from you without permission.
- ✓In stories, leeches are often symbols of people who take too much or use others selfishly.
- ✓NOT like "friend" (gives and takes fairly), "leech" takes without giving.
- ✓NOT like "borrow" (usually returns), "leech" often means taking without returning.
- ✓NOT like "bite" (quick and painful), "leech" is slow and continuous taking.
- ✓As a verb, "to leech" means to drain or steal resources, unlike "share," which means to give.
Try Other Words
- •Freeloader: a person who takes without giving (Use when talking about people who take advantage)
- •Parasite: an organism that lives on another and takes nutrients (Use in biology or to describe harmful takers)
- •Mooch: to get something by asking or taking without paying (Use informally for people who take small things often)
- •Drain: to slowly take energy or resources (Use when focusing on loss of energy or resources)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; "leech" is a simple root word)
- •Etymology: From Old English "lēce," meaning physician or leech (because leeches were used in medicine)
- •Historical development: Originally meant "physician" in Old English, later changed to mean the blood-sucking worm because of medical use
- •Modern usage: Means both the worm and a person who takes advantage of others without giving back
- •Interesting fact: Leeches were once used in medicine to remove "bad blood" from patients
Reflect & Connect
•How can the idea of a "leech" help us understand relationships where one person takes more than they give?
•Can being called a "leech" ever be unfair? What situations might change the meaning?
Fill in the blanks
1.When someone leeches off their friends, they often ___ help but never ___ anything back.
2.A leech attaches to the skin to ___ blood slowly over time.
3.Unlike a friend, a leech usually takes without ___ or returning.
4.Some people say their coworker is a leech because they keep ___ ideas without credit.
5.Leeches are found in freshwater and can ___ animals or people.
6.The word "leech" as a verb often means to ___ resources or energy unfairly.
7.When a website leeches content, it usually does so without ___ permission.