flea

noun

ˈflē 

: any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals

Illustration of flea

Phrases

flea in one's ear

: rebuke

sent him away with a flea in his ear

Examples of flea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the post, Bin Bin's owner explains that her veterinarian has already ruled out ringworm, allergies, or fleas. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

On its website, Orkin touts the advantages of having some of the creepy-crawlers around, writing that the arachnids can keep away (or feed on) pests that are actually harmful, like disease-carrying ticks and fleas. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

An actual car cover, sourced from a parking garage in Paris, was draped and folded into a bustier gown anchored by large, initialed safety pins and paired with vinyl gloves and a necklace piled with vintage keyrings from the fleas. —Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2024

Outdoor cats are also more at risk of fleas, ticks and infectious diseases. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fle, from Old English flēa; akin to Old High German flōh flea

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing flea

• beach flea
• fit as a flea
• flea beetle
• flea-bitten
• flea collar
• flea-flicker
• flea market
• jigger flea
• sand flea
• water flea

Kids Definition

flea

noun

ˈflē 

: any of an order of small wingless bloodsucking insects with a hard body and legs used for leaping

Medical Definition

flea

noun

ˈflē 

: any of the order Siphonaptera comprising wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals see cat flea, chigoe sense 1, dog flea, rat flea, sand flea, sticktight flea