Freeloader: meaning, definitions and examples

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freeloader

 

[ ˈfriːˌləʊdər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

someone who takes advantage

A freeloader is a person who takes advantage of others' generosity without giving anything in return. They often rely on others to provide for them, whether it be financially, emotionally, or in other ways.

Synonyms

leech, moocher, sponge.

Examples of usage

  • He's always the first to arrive at the party and the last to leave, never offering to bring anything or help clean up. What a freeloader!
  • She's been staying with us for weeks now, eating our food and using our utilities without even offering to contribute. I'm starting to feel like she's just a freeloader.
  • I don't mind helping out a friend in need, but I draw the line at constantly supporting a freeloader who never takes responsibility for themselves.
  • Stop being a freeloader and start pulling your own weight around here!
  • Being a freeloader may seem like an easy way to get by, but it ultimately damages relationships and self-esteem.

Translations

Translations of the word "freeloader" in other languages:

🇵🇹 parasita

🇮🇳 मुफ्तखोर (mufthkhor)

🇩🇪 Schmarotzer

🇮🇩 penumpang gratisan

🇺🇦 нахлібник

🇵🇱 darmozjad

🇯🇵 ただ乗り者 (tadanorimono)

🇫🇷 profiteur

🇪🇸 gorrón

🇹🇷 beleşçi

🇰🇷 무임승차자 (muimseungchaja)

🇸🇦 متطفل (mutatfil)

🇨🇿 příživník

🇸🇰 darmožráč

🇨🇳 占便宜的人 (zhàn biànyí de rén)

🇸🇮 prilivnik

🇮🇸 farþegi

🇰🇿 арамтамақ

🇬🇪 უცხოელი (utsxoeli)

🇦🇿 darmotma

🇲🇽 gorrón

Etymology

The term 'freeloader' originated in the early 20th century and is a combination of 'free' and 'loader,' implying someone who loads up on free things without contributing. The concept of freeloading has been present in society for centuries, as there have always been individuals who seek to take advantage of the generosity of others. The negative connotation of being a freeloader stems from the expectation of reciprocity and fairness in social interactions.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,525, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.