freeloader

British  

/ ˈfriːˌləʊdə /

noun

1. slang a person who habitually depends on the charity of others for food, shelter, etc

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Other Word Forms

• freeloading noun

Explanation

A freeloader is a person who takes things from others without paying for them or giving anything in return. If you eat all of your friend's Pop-Tarts and play his video games but then refuse to help with his math homework, you're a freeloader. The term freeloader is an informal word for someone who takes advantage of generous people, who expects to get things from them for nothing. Your cousin who comes to stay at your house for weeks without chipping in for rent or groceries — or even thanking you — is a freeloader. The word dates from around 1940, combining free in the sense of "without cost," and load, "put a burden or load on."

Example Sentences

Fran was a victim of a common scam where her Netflix account was hijacked by a freeloader.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

We can no longer afford freeloader trees, however glamorous.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

A few hours later, he noted that Ms. Warren’s claim that he is a tax freeloader is also factually false.

From Washington Times • Dec. 14, 2021

While someone logging in from a phone or tablet would be fine, someone using a Roku device at a second location could be considered a likely freeloader, one person said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2019

Further soiled by me drinking all his free drinks, like a stupid freeloader, not even tipping him for all the expensive cherries he keeps throwing on top.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle