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Synonyms

flea

American  
[flee] / fli /

noun

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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

idioms

  1. flea in one's ear,

    1. a disconcerting rebuke or rebuff.

      The next time he shows his face around here he'll get a flea in his ear.

    2. a broad hint.

flea British  
/ fliː /

noun

  1. 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

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

  3. informal a sharp rebuke

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
flea More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing flea

    • hurt a fly (flea)

Etymology

Origin of flea

before 900; Middle English fle, Old English flēah, flēa; cognate with German Floh; akin to flee

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After shopping, I’ll drop off my vintage finds from the flea market and check in at Lone Fox Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

“I would always use thrifted finds and flea market things in my makeovers, and people would always ask me, ‘Can you sell what you’re using?’” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Toxic chemicals used in pet flea treatments are widespread in rivers across Wales and are harming wildlife, scientists say.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

"A lot of communities are organising flea markets," Lin, a 37-year-old shopper, told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

“Does anybody at the flea market actually sell fleas?”

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.