adj

parasitic

par-uh-SIHT-ihk

adj

Relating to or behaving like a parasite, living off another organism or person.

"The vine has a parasitic relationship with the tree it climbs."

"Critics called the scheme parasitic, draining money from struggling families."

How to Use Parasitic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiving off, or draining resources from, another organism or person without giving anything back.

Common pairings

parasitic relationship parasitic infection parasitic behaviour

more parasitic comparative, parasitics plural, most parasitic superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The vine has a _____ relationship with the tree it climbs.

From parasite + -ic.

critic politic