parasite
3 synonyms and 4 antonyms for parasite, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An organism that lives on or in another species and benefits at that host's expense.
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.
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.
