parasitic
pa-ruh-SIT-ik
/ˌpær.əˈsɪt.ɪk/
Living as a parasite; relying on or exploiting others without giving anything in return.
This is a highly negative term when applied to people, implying laziness or exploitation.
The story behind the word. In Ancient Greece, a 'parasitos' was a person who ate at another's table. It comes from 'para' (beside) and 'sitos' (grain/food). It originally referred to a guest who got a free meal by flattering their host.
Word relationships
- exploitative: Exploitative focuses on the act of taking advantage; parasitic focuses on the total reliance on the host.
- symbiotic: Symbiotic implies a mutual benefit, whereas parasitic is one-sided.
Commonly confused with
- paralytic: Paralytic refers to being unable to move; parasitic refers to feeding off others.
Word family
- parasite (noun): An organism that lives in or on another organism.
- parasitism (noun): The practice of living as a parasite.
Collocations
- parasitic relationship
- parasitic infection
- parasitic lifestyle
Example sentences
- "The parasitic wasp lays its eggs inside a living caterpillar, which then serves as food for the larvae." Biological study of insects.
- "He described the middlemen as parasitic, draining profits from the workers without adding any value." Social criticism of a corrupt system.
Memory hook
A 'parasite' sits 'beside' your 'site' (place) and eats your food. Parasitic: Pairs with you to pick you clean.
When not to use
In biology, it is a neutral descriptive term; in social contexts, it is an insult. Use 'dependent' if you want to be more neutral.
Fun facts
- Some parasites can actually control the behavior of their hosts, such as the 'zombie ant fungus'!
Related words
Explore more words
parasite, exploit, exploitation, free-rider, parsimonious, shiftless
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