bloodsucker

/ˈblʌdsʌkə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈblʌdsʌkər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbləd-ˌsə-kər/ (ame, mw)

bloodsucker — noun

  • bloodsuckersingular
  • bloodsuckersplural

1. a creature, especially an insect or worm, that stays alive by drawing blood from

1.名詞B2
釋義

a creature, especially an insect or worm, that stays alive by drawing blood from another animal's body.

例句

Campers sprayed their ankles to keep bloodsuckers away from the wet grass.

keep bloodsuckers away from + place

A leech is a bloodsucker that can cling to your skin.

bloodsucker + cling to + body part

同義詞
  • parasite

    broader biology term for a living thing that feeds off a host; not all parasites drink blood.

  • leech

    more specific; usually the worm itself rather than any blood-feeding creature.

  • tick

    specific blood-feeding insect-like animal that attaches to skin.

反義詞
  • host

    the animal whose body provides the blood or living place.

文法句型

a bloodsucker + on/around + body or place

用法筆記

Usually used in everyday descriptions of mosquitoes, leeches, ticks, and similar creatures rather than in technical biology writing. Distinguish this sense from sense 2 by literal animal context and by verbs like bite, land on, or cling to.

常見錯誤

❌The tiger is a bloodsucker.
✅The tiger is a predator.
💡a bloodsucker feeds by sucking blood directly, like a mosquito or leech, not by simply hunting animals.
❌The nurse was a bloodsucker when she took my test sample.
✅The nurse took a blood sample from me.
💡the word is for animals or insulting metaphors, not for normal medical work.

2. an insulting word for a person or organization that keeps draining other people'

2.名詞C1
釋義

an insulting word for a person or organization that keeps draining other people's money, strength, or happiness for its own gain.

例句

The columnist called the loan company a bloodsucker feeding on poor families.

pattern: a bloodsucker feeding on + group

After months of unpaid overtime, Kenji saw the boss as a bloodsucker.

pattern: see + someone + as a bloodsucker

同義詞
  • parasite

    equally harsh, but often sounds slightly more formal or political.

  • leech

    more personal and image-rich, especially for one person draining another.

  • freeloader

    milder everyday term for someone who takes free things without paying.

  • exploiter

    more neutral and formal; names unfair use without the vivid insult.

反義詞
  • contributor

    someone who gives money, work, or help instead of taking from others.

  • benefactor

    someone who supports people or organizations with money or help.

文法句型

call/see + person or group + a bloodsucker

a bloodsucker + feeding on + people or system

用法筆記

Strong insult, often used in journalism, protest language, or angry conversation. Common with people, companies, landlords, or charities that seem to live off others; the pattern 'a bloodsucker feeding on ...' makes the criticism even sharper.

常見錯誤

❌My cousin borrowed my charger once, so he's a bloodsucker.
✅My cousin borrowed my charger once, so he's forgetful.
💡bloodsucker is far too strong for a small one-time favor; it suggests serious, repeated exploitation.
❌The article called the scammer a bloodsucker of pensioners.
✅The article called the scammer a bloodsucker feeding on pensioners.
💡this figurative sense usually uses patterns like 'feeding on' rather than 'bloodsucker of'.