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, freemartin, freemason

Origin of freeload

1950–55, Americanism; back formation from freeloader (free + load + -er1)

Related forms

free·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 Forms

freeloading, 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