'Flea' is the small jumping parasite insect; 'flee' means to run away or escape from danger.
Noun. A small wingless jumping insect that is a parasite on warm-blooded animals, feeding on their blood.
The dog was scratching constantly — we discovered it had fleas.
A flea market is a great place to find antique furniture at low prices.
A single flea can jump over one hundred times its own height.
Verb. To run away from danger or an unpleasant situation. Irregular: flee, fled, fled.
Thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes during the flooding.
The suspect fled the scene before police arrived.
They had to flee the country and rebuild their lives abroad.
Common mistake
"The refugees had to flea" when meaning escape (correct: flee). Or "A flee market" when meaning flea market (correct: flea market — mercado de pulgas).
Trick to remember it
'Flea' has EA like 'beast' and 'creature' — the flea is a tiny creature. 'Flee' has double E like 'speed' and 'feet' — when you flee, you go fast on your feet.
Quick rule
Is it the small jumping parasite? 'Flea'. Is it the verb to run away? 'Flee'.
Did you know?
A 'flea market' gets its name from the French 'Marché aux Puces' (literally flea market), the famous outdoor market at the edge of Paris. Second-hand clothing and old furniture were said to potentially harbour fleas — hence the name. The Paris Marché aux Puces, established in the late 19th century, is now one of the world's largest antique markets. 'Flee' comes from Old English 'fleon' (to run away) — the same root as 'fly' in its older sense of rapid movement.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The family was forced to _____ overnight when the wildfire reached their neighbourhood.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She found a _____ market nearby where she bought vintage lamps for the new apartment.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it the small jumping parasite? 'Flea'. Is it the verb to run away? 'Flee'.
"The refugees had to flea" when meaning escape (correct: flee). Or "A flee market" when meaning flea market (correct: flea market — mercado de pulgas).
'Flea' has EA like 'beast' and 'creature' — the flea is a tiny creature. 'Flee' has double E like 'speed' and 'feet' — when you flee, you go fast on your feet.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy