# flea

/ˈfɫi/ (US) · /flˈiː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flea
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the insect

noun · CEFR B2

a very small jumping insect without wings that lives on the skin of animals and bites them to drink blood.

For teachers: a small, wingless, parasitic insect of the order Siphonaptera, known for its hematophagous habits and jumping ability.

- The dog was scratching constantly because it had a flea on its back.
- Veterinarians often recommend monthly preventative treatments to ensure that a single flea does not lead to a full-blown infestation in the home.

### 2. to remove insects

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to clean or treat an animal to remove these tiny biting insects.

For teachers: to remove fleas from an animal, typically through grooming or chemical treatment.

- We need to flea the cat before we let it back into the living room.
- The rescue centre staff had to flea and wash every puppy that arrived from the abandoned farm.

Usage: The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, usually a pet or livestock.

## Examples

- The cat has fleas and needs a special treatment.
- Pet owners often struggle with flea infestations during the warmer summer months when the insects breed more quickly.
- While a single flea bite causes only minor irritation for most animals, some pets develop severe allergic dermatitis in response to the insect's saliva.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.