bloodsucker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Colloquial, informal, sometimes literary.
Quick answer
What does “bloodsucker” mean?
An organism that feeds on blood.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organism that feeds on blood; a parasite.
A person who exploits others, especially financially; a leech. Also used figuratively for any demanding, draining entity (e.g., a vehicle, a project).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slightly more common in British English in historical/folklore contexts (e.g., describing a vampire).
Connotations
Equally strong negative connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both. More likely in expressive, critical, or metaphorical speech than in neutral description.
Grammar
How to Use “bloodsucker” in a Sentence
[be] a bloodsucker[act/live] like a bloodsuckerbloodsucker of [an institution/system]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bloodsucker” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The landlord was a proper bloodsucker, raising rents every quarter.
- Watch out for ticks in the woods—nasty little bloodsuckers.
American English
- That payday loan company is a total bloodsucker, trapping people in debt.
- Mosquitoes are the most annoying bloodsuckers in the summer.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically for companies/individuals seen as profiteering or charging exorbitant fees.
Academic
Rare, except in biology/zoology for hematophagous animals or in literary/cultural studies discussing metaphor.
Everyday
Used to describe a person who constantly borrows money, exploits generosity, or emotionally drains others.
Technical
In entomology/parasitology: a precise term for animals like mosquitoes, ticks, leeches, vampire bats.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bloodsucker”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bloodsucker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bloodsucker”
- Using it in formal contexts where 'parasite' or 'exploiter' would be more appropriate. Confusing it with 'backstabber' (which is about betrayal, not sustained draining).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when applied to a person it is a strong, pejorative insult, implying they are parasitic and morally repugnant.
Yes, in biology it is a neutral, descriptive term for hematophagous organisms like leeches or mosquitoes.
As metaphors for people, they are near synonyms. 'Leech' might imply clinging dependency, while 'bloodsucker' can imply a more active, aggressive draining. 'Leech' is slightly more common.
Yes, it is a literal synonym for 'vampire' and is used in folklore and Gothic contexts. This is the original, literal sense from which the figurative meaning evolved.
An organism that feeds on blood.
Bloodsucker is usually colloquial, informal, sometimes literary. in register.
Bloodsucker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌdˌsʌkə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌdˌsʌkər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “suck someone's blood”
- “bleed someone dry (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'sucker' (like a cup or an organ) that attaches to you to take your BLOOD. A person who does this metaphorically 'sucks' your life/money away.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE ARE PARASITES / EXPLOITATION IS SUCKING BLOOD / RESOURCES ARE LIFE BLOOD.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bloodsucker' MOST appropriate?