Definition of 'flea'

Word Frequency

flea

(fli )

Word forms: fleas

countable noun

A flea is a very small jumping insect that has no wings and feeds on the blood of humans or animals.

flea in American English

(fli )

noun

any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small, flattened, wingless insects with large legs adapted for jumping: as adults they are bloodsucking parasites on mammals and birds

flea beetle

Idioms:

flea in one's ear

Word origin

ME fle < OE fleah, akin to Ger floh < same Gmc base as flee

Word Frequency

flea in American English

(fli)

noun

any of numerous small, wingless bloodsucking insects of the order Siphonaptera, parasitic upon mammals and birds and noted for their ability to leap

either of two common fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides, the very small, black C. felis ( cat flea) or the similar but larger C. canis ( dog flea), both of which infest cats, dogs, and occasionally humans

any of various small beetles and crustaceans that leap like a flea or swim in a jumpy manner, as the water flea and beach flea

4. See flea in one's ear

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME fle, OE flēah, flēa; c. G Floh; akin to flee]

Word Frequency

flea in British English

(fliː )

noun

any small wingless parasitic blood-sucking insect of the order Siphonaptera, living on the skin of mammals and birds and noted for its power of leaping

any of various invertebrates that resemble fleas, such as the water flea and flea beetle

3. See flea in one's ear

Word origin

Old English flēah; related to Old Norse flō, Old High German flōh

Examples of 'flea' in a sentence
flea

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The disease spread from rats to humans by flea bites.But this kooky flea circus is still worth a visit.He was sent home from his renegotiation with a flea in his ear. Last time she filmed red squirrels she ended up with a nasty case of flea bites.Many pets are at risk from fleas and there has been a dramatic increase in flea treatments sold this summer.This sounds like flea beetle and is always worse in dry conditions as they are drawing moisture from the plants. Probably flea beetles feeding at night.The dry weather had held the company back, as it hurt sales of flea treatments.Would it seriously hurt the company, or would it be just a flea bite? Rocket is grown in an old wine box off the ground out of reach of flea beetles which jump from plant to plant.

Word lists with
flea

Types of insect

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

Which type of insect am I?

the larva of various moths of the family Lasiocampidae, esp Malacosoma americana of North America, which build communal webs in trees

cankerworm lac insect tent caterpillar

Which type of insect am I?

any caterpillar that feeds on cabbages, esp that of the cabbage white

cabbageworm silkworm woodworm

Which type of insect am I?

any of various small primitive wingless insects of the genus Lepisma, esp L. saccharina, that have long antennae and tail appendages and occur in buildings, feeding on food scraps, bookbindings, etc: order Thysanura (bristletails)

bristletail earwig silverfish

Which type of insect am I?

the larva of the Chinese moth Bombyx mori, that feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree: widely cultivated as a source of silk

locust phylloxera silkworm

Which type of insect am I?

any insect of the orthopterous family Gryllidae, having long antennae and, in the males, the ability to produce a chirping sound (stridulation) by rubbing together the leathery forewings

cricket grasshopper mantis

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