Quick answer
A flea is a tiny insect; to flee is to run away. Remember that flee has two e's, like the two e's in escape, while flea has an a, like animal.
The core difference
Flea is a jumping insect, while flee is a verb meaning to run away from danger.
- flea — a tiny, wingless, jumping insect that feeds on blood: The dog kept scratching because of fleas.
- flee — to run away from danger: Thousands of residents fled the city before the storm hit.
How to tell them apart
Flea is a noun, a creature you can count. Flee is a verb, an action. If you could replace the word with run away, you need flee. Note that the past tense of flee is fled, not fleed.
The mix-up shows up when people write about pets or emergencies, for example flee collar instead of flea collar, or residents flea the city instead of flee. Picture the a in flea as an animal and the double e in flee as eek, the cry of someone escaping.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of flee?
The past tense is fled, as in: The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.
Is it flea collar or flee collar?
It is flea collar, because the collar is meant to deal with the insect.
Do flea and flee sound the same?
Yes, they are homophones, so you have to rely on spelling and meaning to choose the right one.
