flea

noun \ˈflē\

: a very small insect that lives on animals and that has strong legs used for jumping

Full Definition of FLEA

: 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

— flea in one's ear

: rebuke <sent him away with a flea in his ear>

See flea defined for English-language learners

See flea defined for kids

Illustration of FLEA

Origin of FLEA

Middle English fle, from Old English flēa; akin to Old High German flōh flea

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with FLEA

b, be, bee, c, cay, cee, Cree, d, dee, Dee, dree, e, fee, flee, free, g, gee, ghee, glee, gree, he, key, Key, knee, lea, lee, me, mi, p, pea, pee, plea, pree, quay, re, Rhee, scree, sea, see, she, si, ski, spree, sri, t, tea, tee, the, thee, three, ti, tree, twee, Twi, v, vee, we, wee, whee, ye, z, zee

FLEA Defined for Kids

flea

noun \ˈflē\

Definition of FLEA for Kids

: a small bloodsucking insect that has no wings and a hard body

Medical Dictionary

flea

noun \ˈflē\

Medical Definition of FLEA

: 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 1, dog flea, rat flea, sand flea, sticktight flea