bottom feeder

or bot·tom-feed·er

[ bot-uhm fee-der ]

noun

1. bottom fish.
2. an opportunist, as in politics or business:

   bottom feeders who buy up commercial failures.

3. a person or thing having low status or value; loser:

   bottom feeders hanging out in seedy bars.

4. a person who appeals to base instincts:

   Gossip columnists are the bottom feeders of journalism.

bottom feeder

noun

1. a fish that feeds on material at the bottom of a river, lake, sea, etc
2. an objectionable and unimpressive person or thing
3. Also calledbottom fisher a speculator who buys shares in companies that are performing poorly in anticipation of improved performance

Word History and Origins

Origin of bottom feeder¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The tabloid’s reporting on Edwards won new respect for a publication that had been derided as a bottom feeder in news media circles.

From Seattle Times

In Weidman’s novel, the main character, a garment industry climber named Harry Bogen, is an impenitent snake, a moral bottom feeder who knows no bottom.

From New York Times

His late-career resurgence has been instrumental in the Diamondbacks’ leap from bottom feeders to title contenders.

From Los Angeles Times

They do get a run up into early April with eight games in 10 against last season’s bottom feeders Anaheim, Arizona, San Jose and Montreal.

From Seattle Times

White sturgeon, which are bottom feeders, can travel between fresh and saltwater and can grow to weigh more than 1,000 pounds.

From Seattle Times