parasite

/ˈpɛrəsaɪt/
noun
  1. An organism that lives on or inside another organism (called a host) and gets food or shelter from it, often harming the host.
    • Tapeworms are a common parasite that can live in the intestines of animals.
    • The flea is a parasite that feeds on the blood of its host.
    • Some parasites, like certain fungi, can kill the plants they infect.
  2. A person who takes advantage of others without giving anything in return.
    • The company fired the manager for being a parasite who took credit for others' work.
    • In the story, the villain is a parasite who lives off the kindness of wealthy relatives.
    • He was called a parasite because he never worked and always borrowed money from friends.
Antonyms