Leech

What kind of person is a leech?

A freeloader

Leech is a slang term for someone who constantly relies on others' hard work or resources without contributing anything meaningful themselves. When someone is a leech, they thrive on the generosity or labor of others, taking without giving back, much like the blood-sucking creature (for which its name originates) that relies on the life of another organism for sustenance.

People often use the word leech to label someone who persistently mooches off friends, family, or colleagues, refusing to carry their own weight. It's not always meant to be harsh, but it certainly highlights the imbalance in a relationship where one party feels drained and the other benefits endlessly.

In social gatherings, a leech might be the person who shows up empty-handed and ends up leaving with leftovers. People may also use it as a verb (e.g., "stop leeching off your mom and get a job!).

Example

why didn't jake chip in for pizza last night?
he's such a leech, always relying on us
A brother-in-law leech living with his sister and her husband
A brother-in-law leech living with his sister and her husband

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Updated March 17, 2026

Leech definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

This page explains what the slang term "Leech" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been manually compiled and written by the Slang.net team.

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