parasite
4 antonyms for parasite — opposites grouped by meaning.
Noun — An organism that lives on or in another species and benefits at that host's expense.
Antonyms
How to use parasite
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
intestinal parasite
social parasite
host and parasite
Etymology
From Greek parasitos, originally "a person who eats at another's table" (para- "beside" + sitos "food") — a flattering guest who dined for free before the word took on its harsher biological and social meanings.
Full origin of parasite →Frequently asked questions
What does “parasite” mean?
The word “parasite” means an organism that lives on or in another species and benefits at that host's expense. In plain terms, a creature — or, informally, a person — that survives by feeding off another without giving anything useful in return.
How do you pronounce “parasite”?
“Parasite” is pronounced PA-ruh-syt (/ˈpæɹəˌsaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “parasite” in a sentence?
Here is “parasite” used in a sentence: “Tapeworms are parasites that live in the intestines of their hosts.”
What is the opposite of “parasite”?
The opposite of “parasite” — its antonyms — are commensal, mutualist and sometimes symbiote.
What part of speech is “parasite”?
“Parasite” is a noun.
Where does the word “parasite” come from?
The word “parasite” comes from Greek. From Greek parasitos, originally "a person who eats at another's table" (para- "beside" + sitos "food") — a flattering guest who dined for free before the word took on its harsher biological and social meanings.
Is “parasite” a common word?
“Parasite” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “parasite” have?
“Parasite” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an organism that lives on or in another species and benefits at that host's expense.
