leech

A small, soft animal, often living in water, that attaches to people or animals and drinks their blood.

• A leech was on my leg.
• We found leeches in the pond.
• The nurse carefully removed the leech from his skin.

Common phrases: a bloodsucking leech, leech bite

Someone who takes money or help from other people without giving anything back.

• Stop being such a leech.
• She called him a leech for always borrowing money.
• They felt their landlord was a leech who offered nothing in return.

How to use it: a leech on someone/something (He called the dishonest adviser a leech on the family.)

Similar words: parasite, freeloader

Common phrases: a selfish leech, a leech on someone

A person who treats illnesses or injuries.

• The leech treated the wound.
• The king sent for his leech.
• A village leech gave the sick child a mixture of herbs.

Similar words: healer, physician

Common phrases: village leech, royal leech

One of the upright edges of a square sail.

• The sail’s leech was torn.
• A rope ran along the leech of the square sail.
• The sailor inspected both leeches before raising the sail.

Common phrases: sail leech, leech line

To take money, supplies, or help from others without giving anything back.

• He leeches off his parents.
• The company leeched resources from the community.
• Why should they keep leeching off everyone else?

How to use it: leech off someone/something (He has been leeching off his relatives for years.); leech something from someone/something (The scheme leeched money from small businesses.)

Similar words: mooch, sponge

Common phrases: leech off someone, leech resources

To treat someone by placing blood-sucking animals on their skin to remove blood.

• The physician decided to leech the patient.
• They leeched his swollen arm.
• Doctors once leeched patients to remove blood.

Common phrases: leech a patient, leech someone’s arm