freeloader
Britishnoun
Other Word Forms
Explanation
A freeloader is a person who takes things from others without paying for them or giving anything in return. If you eat all of your friend's Pop-Tarts and play his video games but then refuse to help with his math homework, you're a freeloader. The term freeloader is an informal word for someone who takes advantage of generous people, who expects to get things from them for nothing. Your cousin who comes to stay at your house for weeks without chipping in for rent or groceries — or even thanking you — is a freeloader. The word dates from around 1940, combining free in the sense of "without cost," and load, "put a burden or load on."
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.
Fran was a victim of a common scam where her Netflix account was hijacked by a freeloader.
From BBC ● Nov. 24, 2025
Palms are freeloader trees: They suck down water like camels, but give back barely enough leafiness to shade a Hula-Hoop.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2025
This seemed like a great idea, as I had no interest in being a freeloader or concubine, and I craved the legitimacy of being part of the team.
From New York Times ● Jan. 1, 2021
While someone logging in from a phone or tablet would be fine, someone using a Roku device at a second location could be considered a likely freeloader, one person said.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 9, 2019
Further soiled by me drinking all his free drinks, like a stupid freeloader, not even tipping him for all the expensive cherries he keeps throwing on top.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
