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

During the wars of the early 1800s, Napoleon dusted his soldiers with a permethrin-like powder to control fleas and body lice, which protected them from anemia and gave them a physical edge over their enemies. —Angela Haupt, Time, 24 June 2025

She was then taken to a local vet, treated for fleas, and given a well-deserved meal. —Tj MacIas, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025

The 22 dogs that were seized suffered from a variety of medical conditions, including flea infestation, vision impairment, poor grooming and skin rashes, Temple said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025

Cedar: Another common essential oil thanks to its ability to help repel fleas and ticks. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 June 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