freeload

verb

free·​load ˈfrē-ˌlōd 

freeloaded; freeloading; freeloads

intransitive verb

: to impose upon another's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility involved : sponge

freeloader noun

Synonyms

• mooch
• sponge

Examples of freeload in a Sentence

after college, he freeloaded off his parents for several years before finally moving out

Recent Examples on the Web

And again summer approaches and one must sift through all those spoiling invitations that inevitably come rolling in when one is an indolent (and impoverished) European aristocrat — who needs to freeload off the rich and hardworking. —James Fallon, Footwear News, 24 May 2025

Minutes before Carney’s arrival, Trump set a contentious tone by accusing Canada of freeloading on trade and the nations’ geopolitical alliance. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025

Dreux has entrusted Alyssa with delivering Uche’s money before the first of the month—but instead, Alyssa has asked her layabout, freeloading boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) to put the money in Uche’s hands. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Apr. 2025

If only Alyssa hadn’t entrusted the money to her freeloading boyfriend, Keshawn (Joshua David Neal). —Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for freeload

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad