fleabag: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, colloquial.
Quick answer
What does “fleabag” mean?
A shabby, dirty, or run-down person, animal, place, or thing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A shabby, dirty, or run-down person, animal, place, or thing.
Can refer to a disreputable or morally questionable person. Informally, also used as a term of endearment for a scruffy pet.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English, but well-understood in American English.
Connotations
In both, implies dirtiness and neglect. In UK, may carry a stronger connotation of being socially undesirable or untrustworthy.
Frequency
Low-frequency informal term in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “fleabag” in a Sentence
[Person/Place] is a fleabag.That [hotel/dog] is a total fleabag.Don't be such a fleabag.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fleabag” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- We ended up in a fleabag hostel near the station.
- He's got a fleabag dog that follows him everywhere.
American English
- I'm not staying in that fleabag motel.
- She rescued a fleabag kitten from the alley.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare and inappropriate.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used informally to criticize a dirty place/person or affectionately for a scruffy pet.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fleabag”
- Using it in formal contexts. Confusing it with 'dirtbag' (which is more specifically about moral character).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While typically derogatory for people and places, it can be a humorous or affectionate term for a scruffy pet, implying endearing scruffiness.
Both describe unpleasant places. 'Fleabag' specifically suggests dirtiness, infestation, and extreme shabbiness. 'Dump' is broader, implying a messy, unattractive place but not necessarily infested.
No, 'fleabag' is only a noun or, less commonly, a noun used attributively as an adjective (e.g., fleabag hotel).
Yes. The title uses the word ironically. The protagonist is not physically dirty, but the term captures her self-perceived moral and emotional messiness and social awkwardness.
A shabby, dirty, or run-down person, animal, place, or thing.
Fleabag is usually informal, colloquial. in register.
Fleabag: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfliːbæɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfliːbæɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No major idioms. Often used in the fixed phrase 'a fleabag hotel/motel'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bag full of fleas – it's dirty, unpleasant, and something you'd avoid.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON/PLACE IS A DIRTY, INFESTED CONTAINER.
Practice
Quiz
In which context could 'fleabag' be used affectionately?