Standard Lemma guide

freeload

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈfɹiːloʊd/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To exploit the generosity of others without giving anything in return.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

live off somebody's generosity

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This young man refuses to work and is freeloading

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: mooch, bum, cadge, grub, sponge

History

Etymology

Back-formation from freeloader.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: gorrejar — to live off the generosity of others
  • Catalan: viure de gorra — to live off the generosity of others
  • Dutch: klaplopen — to live off the generosity of others
  • Dutch: inlikken — to live off the generosity of others
  • German: schmarotzen — to live off the generosity of others
  • German: schnorren — to live off the generosity of others
  • German: trittbrettfahren — to live off the generosity of others
  • Italian: scroccare — to live off the generosity of others
  • Latin: parasītor — to live off the generosity of others
  • Māori: kaimātai — to live off the generosity of others
  • Polish: pasożytować — to live off the generosity of others
  • Spanish: comer la sopa boba — to live off the generosity of others
  • Spanish: chupar del bote — to live off the generosity of others
  • Spanish: gorrear — to live off the generosity of others
  • Spanish: gorronear — to live off the generosity of others
  • Spanish: garronear — to live off the generosity of others
  • Spanish: sablear — to live off the generosity of others
  • Swedish: åka snålskjuts — to live off the generosity of others