Leech: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฉธ
leech
[ liหtส ]
blood-sucking parasite
A leech is a type of worm that attaches itself to the skin of animals or humans and sucks their blood. Leeches are often used in medicine for bloodletting or to promote blood flow.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| leech |
Used to describe someone who benefits from others without giving anything in return. Often refers to a person who exploits others for personal gain without contributing.
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| parasite |
Describes someone who lives off others while giving nothing in return, much like 'leech'. Often used in professional or social contexts to criticize someone's lack of contribution.
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| bloodsucker |
A strong, negative term for someone who exploits others relentlessly, often causing harm. Used in highly critical contexts to describe someone profiting off others' suffering.
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| worm |
Often used as an insult to describe someone as weak, cowardly, or contemptible. Can imply a sense of worthlessness or lack of integrity.
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Examples of usage
- The leech attached itself to my leg while I was swimming in the river.
- Some people believe that leech therapy can help improve circulation.
- After the leech sucked my blood, it fell off and swam away.
to exploit someone or something
To leech means to exploit someone or something for one's own gain, especially in a parasitic way. It can also refer to the act of extracting something slowly or gradually.
Synonyms
exploit, sponge, take advantage of.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| leech |
Used to describe someone who persistently benefits from others without giving anything in return. It often has a negative connotation and suggests a parasitic relationship.
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| exploit |
Refers to taking unfair advantage of someone or something to benefit oneself. It often carries a negative meaning, implying unethical or selfish behavior.
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| take advantage of |
Can be neutral or negative, depending on the context. It usually means using something or someone for one's own benefit, sometimes suggesting manipulation or unfairness.
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| sponge |
Describes someone who frequently relies on others for resources or support, often without reciprocation. It can be used both humorously and seriously, but generally carries a negative undertone.
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Examples of usage
- He tried to leech off his wealthy relatives by constantly asking for money.
- She's always leeching ideas from her coworkers without giving credit.
- The company was accused of leeching resources from the environment.
Translations
Translations of the word "leech" in other languages:
๐ต๐น sanguessuga
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคเค
๐ฉ๐ช Blutegel
๐ฎ๐ฉ lintah
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟ'ัะฒะบะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ pijawka
๐ฏ๐ต ใใซ
๐ซ๐ท sangsue
๐ช๐ธ sanguijuela
๐น๐ท sรผlรผk
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ฑฐ๋จธ๋ฆฌ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุนููุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ pijavice
๐ธ๐ฐ pijavica
๐จ๐ณ ๆฐด่ญ
๐ธ๐ฎ pijavka
๐ฎ๐ธ blรณรฐsuga
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัาฏะปัะบ
๐ฌ๐ช แฏแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sรผlรผk
๐ฒ๐ฝ sanguijuela
Etymology
The word 'leech' has its origins in Old English 'lรฆce,' meaning physician or healer. The transition to the current meaning of blood-sucking worm likely occurred due to the use of leeches in traditional medicine for bloodletting. Leeches have been used for medical purposes for centuries, with evidence dating back to ancient Egypt and Greece. Over time, the word 'leech' also acquired the metaphorical sense of someone who exploits or takes advantage of others, reflecting the negative connotations associated with the blood-sucking behavior of the worm.