Definition of "bottom feeder" []

• A fish or other animal that feeds on the bottom of a body of water. (noun)
• One that feeds low on the food chain; a scavenger. (noun)
• Slang An opportunist who profits from the misfortunes of others: "The frazzled, adrenaline-pumped tabloid newshounds [in the movie] are the bottom feeders of contemporary journalism” ( Entertainment Weekly). (noun)
• Slang A low or despicable person. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.