flea

noun

ˈflē 

: any of an order (Siphonaptera) of small wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals

Illustration of flea

Phrases

flea in one's ear

: rebuke

sent him away with a flea in his ear

Examples of flea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The small dogs, including Pomeranians and Chihuahuas, were frightened and in poor condition, with fleas, skin issues and overgrown nails. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Toby, a towering tan tapeworm sculpture, greets employees at the front door to promote Elanco's Credelio Quattro medicine, which protects dogs against fleas, ticks and tapeworms. —Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025

The incident involving Rupert, 48, and Phoebe Hearst Elementary occurred toward the end of last school year, when the school experienced a flea infestation, NBC affiliate KCRA and ABC affiliate KXTV reported. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

Grime and punishment Problems for Rupert started after Phoebe Hearst suffered a flea infestation last year. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fle, from Old English flēa; akin to Old High German flōh flea

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing flea

• beach flea
• fit as a flea
• flea beetle
• flea-bitten
• flea collar
• flea-flicker
• flea market
• jigger flea
• sand flea
• water flea

Rhymes for flea

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he
• ki

Kids Definition

flea

noun

ˈflē 

: any of an order of small wingless bloodsucking insects with a hard body and legs used for leaping

Medical Definition

flea

noun

ˈflē 

: any of the order Siphonaptera comprising wingless bloodsucking insects that have a hard laterally compressed body and legs adapted to leaping and that feed on warm-blooded animals see cat flea, chigoe sense 1, dog flea, rat flea, sand flea, sticktight flea