scrounger

Everyday

1. (informal, UK) A person who often gets things from others without paying or working for them. tree →
2. (insulting) A person who is said to live off other people or the government instead of working — this is often an unfair, hurtful label. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, a scrounger asks for your sweets, pens or money all the time. In the news, "benefit scroungers" is a harsh phrase some newspapers use; many people say it unfairly blames poor or sick people. In stories, a scrounger can be a funny, cheeky character. Phrases: a bit of a scrounger, benefit scrounger.

Examples

• My brother is a scrounger — he always eats my crisps. tree →
• The seagull is a scrounger, waiting for chips. tree →
• "Stop being a scrounger and buy your own!" tree →
• Some newspapers call poor people scroungers, which is unkind. tree →
• The cat is a real scrounger at dinnertime. tree →
• He's a scrounger; he never brings his own pencil. tree →

Note

Informal, often insulting. Verb: scrounge (scrounge, scrounged). Be careful: calling people "scroungers" can be cruel; many who get help cannot work.