noun

fleabag

FLEE-bag

Fleabag (noun) means (informal) A run-down, dirty place to stay, especially a cheap hotel. Example: “They spent the night in a fleabag motel off the highway.”

noun

(informal) A run-down, dirty place to stay, especially a cheap hotel.

"They spent the night in a fleabag motel off the highway."

(informal, often affectionate) A scruffy or unkempt animal.

"Come here, you old fleabag."

How to use fleabag

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA shabby, run-down place — or, casually, a scruffy pet.

When to use it

Informal; often used humorously about pets.

Word forms

fleabags plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “fleabag” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They spent the night in a _____ motel off the highway.

Etymology

From "flea" + "bag," originally describing a shabby sleeping bag or bed likely infested with fleas.

Frequently asked questions

What does “fleabag” mean?

The word “fleabag” means (informal) A run-down, dirty place to stay, especially a cheap hotel. In plain terms, a shabby, run-down place — or, casually, a scruffy pet.

How do you pronounce “fleabag”?

“Fleabag” is pronounced FLEE-bag (/ˈfliˌbæɡ/ in IPA).

How do you use “fleabag” in a sentence?

Here is “fleabag” used in a sentence: “They spent the night in a fleabag motel off the highway.”

What part of speech is “fleabag”?

“Fleabag” is a noun.

How many meanings does “fleabag” have?

“Fleabag” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal) A run-down, dirty place to stay, especially a cheap hotel.