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

see also:

flea in one's ear

Illustration of flea

Examples of flea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Flea Beetles Flea beetles are tiny, shiny black or brownish beetles that hop like a flea when disturbed. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

Aphids, whiteflies, beetles and fleas Woolsey explains that neonicotinoids work by targeting receptors found mostly in insect nervous systems. — Nicole Hernandez, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

On a scale for itchiness, my Eichenprozessionsspinner rash would outrank all the mosquitoes, spiders, fleas, and midges that had ever bitten into my flesh. — Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026

On Tuesday, eight of 25 to 30 Yorkies arrived at the Humane Society’s Escondido campus, where they have been vaccinated and are being treated for heavy flea infestation. — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026

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 in one's ear
• 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