leech
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for leech, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A blood-sucking worm that lives in water, sometimes used medicinally.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use leech
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English lǣċe, "blood-sucking worm" — the same root gave Old English the word for "physician," since leeches were once a common medical treatment.
Full origin of leech →Frequently asked questions
What does “leech” mean?
The word “leech” means a blood-sucking worm that lives in water, sometimes used medicinally. In plain terms, a parasitic worm, or — as an insult — someone who freeloads off others.
How do you pronounce “leech”?
“Leech” is pronounced LEECH (/ˈliːt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “leech” in a sentence?
Here is “leech” used in a sentence: “A leech attached itself to his leg while wading through the pond.”
What is another word for “leech”?
Words with a similar meaning to “leech” include sponger, bloodsucker and vampire.
What part of speech is “leech”?
Depending on how it is used, “leech” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “leech” come from?
The word “leech” comes from Old English. From Old English lǣċe, "blood-sucking worm" — the same root gave Old English the word for "physician," since leeches were once a common medical treatment.
Is “leech” a common word?
“Leech” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “leech” have?
“Leech” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a blood-sucking worm that lives in water, sometimes used medicinally.