French word

parasite

Pronunciation

IPA/paʁazit/

Meaning

  • masculine nounparasite

Example

Le chat a un parasite.

The cat has a parasite.

Illustration for parasite (parasite)

More examples

Le chien a attrapé un parasite intestinal.

The dog caught an intestinal parasite.

Core concept

A dependent life-form attached to or living in a host while drawing on the host's resources.

Common phrases

  • un parasite

    a parasite

  • parasite intestinal

    intestinal parasite

  • attraper un parasite

    catch a parasite

Similar words

profiteur: A person who uses others' kindness or labor to benefit only themselves.
sangsue: A creature that attaches to another animal and draws blood for nourishment.

Definition in French

Organisme vivant qui vit aux dépens d'un hôte, souvent en lui causant des dommages.

Word origin

The word entered French through Latin parasitus and Old French from Greek parásitos, formed from para, beside, and sitos, food.

Usage tips

  • Calling a person un parasite is strongly insulting in French because it portrays that person as exploitative and dependent.

Other meanings

  • parasiticadjective

Opposites

  • symbiotesymbiontnoun

Related words

  • parasiterparasitizeverb
  • parasitismeparasitismnoun
  • parasitaireparasiticadjective

Word lists with this word