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

My aunt and uncle, who live in Santa Fe—home to the International Folk Art Market, one of the largest such festivals in the world (the next one is July 9-12)—are devoted flea-market pickers and collectors of antique oddities. —Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 15 May 2026

Pet food, flea and tick treatments, cat litter, toys, pet beds and grooming supplies tend to offer the strongest value. —Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 11 May 2026

The film, which follows the adventures of a flea, is produced by Little Dream Entertainment and Amour Fou together with animation studio Red Parrot Studios. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 May 2026

If fleas infest your yard, remove anything that attracts wild animals, like brush piles and pet food. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 May 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