freeload

verb

free·​load ˈfrē-ˌlōd How to pronounce freeload (audio)
freeloaded; freeloading; freeloads

intransitive verb

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

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 The company added 6 million subscribers last quarter after the streaming company began to hassle users to get their own accounts rather than freeload off another household’s. Alan Murray, Fortune, 20 July 2023 In October, Netflix introduced the Profile Transfer function to encourage freeloading users to register for their own accounts. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 11 July 2023 News organizations are struggling to stay alive while huge internet platforms that benefit financially from journalism are freeloading from content providers. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023 Netflix is trying to push freeloading Netflix users to buy subscriptions. Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2023 With Netflix preparing to crack down on password sharing, most of us probably can’t afford random acquaintances or total strangers freeloading off our Netflix accounts. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2023 Adult children who are basically capable should not be freeloading off their parents, depleting their retirement accounts. John Rosemond, ajc, 10 Apr. 2020 Whatever leftover food the fat innkeeper doesn't eat gets gobbled up by other bottom-dwellers such as crab, shrimp, and clams, which take up residence inside these burrows to freeload off of the worm. Daisy Hernandez, Popular Mechanics, 13 Dec. 2019 Are your only career options workaholic or freeloading bohemian? Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freeload.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of freeload was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near freeload

Cite this Entry

“Freeload.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeload. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on freeload

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!