noun
Uncommon
leech
LEECH
Leech (noun) means a blood-sucking worm that lives in water, sometimes used medicinally. Example: “A leech attached itself to his leg while wading through the pond.”
noun
1
A blood-sucking worm that lives in water, sometimes used medicinally.
"A leech attached itself to his leg while wading through the pond."
"Doctors once used leeches to draw blood from patients."
2
A person who takes advantage of others without giving anything back.
"He's such a leech, always borrowing money he never repays."
verb
1
To drain something, such as money or resources, without contributing in return.
"His cousin kept leeching off the family's generosity."
How to use leech
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA parasitic worm, or — as an insult — someone who freeloads off others.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
leech off someone
a social leech
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Word forms
- Plural
- leeches
- Third person singular
- leeches
- Past tense
- leeched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ attached itself to his leg while wading through the pond.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for leech
See all rhymes for 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.
