definitions

freeload

[ free-lohd, -lohd ]
/ ˈfriˈloʊd, -ˌloʊd /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR freeload ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object) Informal.

to take advantage of others for free food, entertainment, etc.

verb (used with object)

to get by freeloading: He freeloaded several meals a week.

RELATED WORDS

sponge, barnacle, moocher, leech, parasite

Nearby words

freeholder, freeing port, freekeh, freelance, freelancer, freeload, freeloader, freely, freeman, freeman, douglas southall, freeman, mary eleanor wilkins

Origin of freeload

1950–55, Americanism; back formation from freeloader (free + load + -er1)
Related formsfree·load·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for freeloader (1 of 2)

freeloader

/ (ˈfriːˌləʊdə) /

noun

slang a person who habitually depends on the charity of others for food, shelter, etc
Derived Formsfreeloading, noun

British Dictionary definitions for freeloader (2 of 2)

freeload

/ (ˈfriːˌləʊd) /

verb

(intr) slang to act as a freeloader; sponge
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

Word Origin and History for freeloader

freeloader

n.

also free-loader, by 1939, from free (adj.) + agent noun from load (v.). Related: Freeloading. As a verb, freeload is attested by 1967.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper