bloodsucker

[ bluhd-suhk-er ]

noun

1. any animal or insect that feeds on blood:

   As bloodsuckers, fleas are capable of spreading many diseases.

2. a mythical creature that feeds on blood, especially a vampire:

   The film delves into the idea of bloodsuckers as outlaws, portraying its vampire characters as outcasts from society.

3. a person who preys on or exploits others:

   If you really want the blackmail to end, you'll have to stand up to the bloodsuckers and refuse to pay.

4. a person who habitually and excessively borrows or lives on money from others:

   Her bloodsucker of a nephew has been draining her savings for years.

bloodsucker

/ ˈblʌdˌsʌkə /

noun

1. an animal that sucks blood, esp a leech or mosquito
2. a person or thing that preys upon another person, esp by extorting money

Derived Forms

• ˈbloodˌsucking, adjective

Other Words From

• blood·suck·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloodsucker¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; blood, sucker

Example Sentences

The evolution of bloodsuckers, no matter how gorey, is worth studying.

From Salon

The bloodsuckers have been booming amid more extreme rainfall patterns and may continue to enjoy pools of standing water in the years to come.

From Los Angeles Times

These are some hot, elegant gay bloodsuckers who speak French and flash brilliant smiles but aren’t afraid to kill to survive — kinda like Fire Island with fangs.

From Los Angeles Times

To combat these bloodsuckers, companies offer a deluge of products and services.

From New York Times

Right now in theaters he can be seen as a winning monster veterinarian in “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” and as a corrupt cop turned bloodsucker in the horror comedy “Abigail.”

From New York Times