Definition

An organism that lives on or in another organism and gets food from it, often harming the host in the process.

Example

The tick is a common example of a parasite that feeds on the blood of its host.

Conversation

Did you hear about that guy who always mooches off his friends?

Yeah, I think he’s a bit of a parasite in our group.

It's frustrating because he never contributes anything.

Exactly, he just takes advantage of everyone’s generosity.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Parasite → It is formed from "para-" (meaning beside or alongside) and "sitos" (meaning food). The word originally referred to someone who sits beside the table, implying a person who feeds off others, hence the modern meaning of an organism that lives off another.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who sits 'beside' ('para-') the table to 'feed' ('sitos') off the food of others — that's why a parasite is something that lives off another.

Visually Confused Words