parasite Definition
- 1an organism that lives on or in another organism (the host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense
- 2a person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return
Using parasite: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "parasite" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The tick is a common parasite of dogs.
Example
The company was a parasite on the local economy.
Example
He's a parasite who only calls when he needs something.
Example
The film explores the parasitic relationship between the two main characters.
parasite Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for parasite
- leech
- sponge
- moocher
- freeloader
- hanger-on
Antonyms for parasite
Idioms Using parasite
a person who contributes nothing to society and instead relies on the resources and labor of others
Example
The politician accused the welfare recipients of being parasites on society.
a person or group that undermines the health and well-being of a larger organization or society
Example
The corrupt officials were seen as parasites in the body politic of the country.
a young adult who lives with their parents and does not contribute to household expenses
Example
The trend of parasite singles has become more common in recent years due to economic difficulties.
Phrases with parasite
parasite load
the number of parasites present in or on an organism
Example
The veterinarian checked the dog's parasite load during its annual checkup.
the aerodynamic drag caused by external objects attached to an aircraft, such as antennas or fuel tanks
Example
The engineers worked to minimize the parasite drag on the new airplane design.
social parasite
a person who lives off the labor of others without contributing anything to society
Example
The wealthy heir was accused of being a social parasite, living off his family's fortune without working.
Origins of parasite
from Greek 'parasitos', meaning 'a person who eats at the table of another'
Summary: parasite in Brief
A 'parasite' [ˈpærəsaɪt] is an organism that lives on or in another organism and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other's expense. It can also refer to a person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return. Examples include ticks on dogs and companies that are a parasite on the local economy. Phrases like 'parasite load' and 'parasite drag' refer to specific contexts, while idioms like 'a parasite on society' and 'parasite in the body politic' describe people or groups that undermine the health and well-being of larger organizations or societies.
