We all know that one person who seems to magically appear when they want something. Itโs like they have a sixth sense for when you might be able to help out! While itโs nice to lend a hand, being on the receiving end of these selective calls can be frustrating.
Hereโs a list of words to describe someone who only reaches out when theyโre in need. Whether itโs a financial favor or emotional support, these terms might just capture their essence perfectly!
Top List Of Words to Describe a Person Who Only Calls When They Need Something
1. Opportunist
2. Leech
3. User
4. Freeloader
5. Fair-weather Friend
6. Mooched
7. Manipulator
8. Self-absorbed
9. Dependency
10. Unreliable
11. Sycophant
12. Narcissist
13. Clingy
14. Ingrate
15. Attention-seeker
16. Complainer
17. Noncommittal
18. Dilettante
19. Cynic
20. Neglectful
21. Desperate
22. Imposter
23. Coattail Rider
24. Exploiter
25. Sponge
1. Opportunist
An opportunist takes advantage of situations or people for personal gain. This person often shows up only when they see a chance to benefit from your kindness.
Examples:
- A friend who only invites you to events when they need a plus one.
- A colleague who only seeks your help when theyโre overwhelmed with work.
- A family member who calls only when they need a loan.
2. Leech
A leech is someone who clings to others to benefit from them without giving anything in return. This word emphasizes the draining effect such a person can have.
Examples:
- Someone who frequently borrows money but never pays it back.
- A friend who constantly seeks emotional support but never reciprocates.
- A relative who expects you to handle all their problems without offering help in return.
3. User
A user is a person who exploits others for their own advantage. This term carries a negative connotation, highlighting the manipulative nature of the relationship.
Examples:
- A person who only reaches out when they need a favor or a ride.
- A friend who is always busy until they need a place to stay.
- Someone who only engages when they need you to help them with a task.
4. Freeloader
A freeloader takes advantage of othersโ generosity without contributing. This term is often used to describe someone who benefits from your resources or kindness without giving back.
Examples:
- A roommate who never pays their share of the bills but always eats your food.
- A friend who borrows your things without ever returning them.
- A family member who shows up for meals but never offers to cook or contribute.
5. Fair-weather Friend
A fair-weather friend is someone who is only around during good times or when they need something. This term highlights the lack of loyalty and support.
Examples:
- A friend who disappears during tough times but reappears when you have something to celebrate.
- Someone who only calls when they want to hang out but ignores you when youโre going through a rough patch.
- A colleague who only seeks your help when theyโre trying to get ahead.
6. Mooched
To mooch means to obtain something without giving anything in return, often by relying on others’ generosity. This person thrives on your kindness.
Examples:
- A person who constantly asks for favors without ever reciprocating.
- A friend who borrows your belongings but never returns them.
- Someone who expects you to pay for their meals without contributing.
7. Manipulator
A manipulator is someone who skillfully influences or controls others for their own advantage. This term suggests a level of deceitfulness.
Examples:
- A person who plays on your emotions to get what they want.
- A friend who feigns vulnerability to extract favors.
- Someone who uses guilt to pressure you into helping them.
8. Self-absorbed
Being self-absorbed means being preoccupied with oneself and oneโs needs. This term highlights a lack of consideration for others.
Examples:
- A friend who only talks about their problems and ignores your concerns.
- A relative who always puts their needs first in every situation.
- A colleague who never offers to help unless it benefits them directly.
9. Dependency
Dependency refers to a personโs reliance on others for support or assistance. This term can indicate an unhealthy relationship dynamic.
Examples:
- A friend who relies on you for emotional support but never returns the favor.
- A family member who constantly seeks help but doesnโt attempt to be self-sufficient.
- A colleague who depends on you to do their work for them.
10. Unreliable
An unreliable person cannot be counted on to support or fulfill commitments. This term highlights a lack of dependability.
Examples:
- A friend who cancels plans unless they need something from you.
- Someone who forgets their promises until they want your assistance.
- A family member who is never there when you need them but expects you to help them.
11. Sycophant
A sycophant flatters or ingratiates themselves to gain favor, often only when they need something. This word has a distinctly negative connotation.
Examples:
- A colleague who compliments you only when they want your help with a project.
- A friend who praises you excessively but disappears when you need support.
- Someone who is overly friendly only when they need something from you.
12. Narcissist
A narcissist has an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. This term indicates a person who focuses solely on their own needs.
Examples:
- A friend who expects you to drop everything for them but never asks how you are.
- Someone who makes everything about themselves in conversations.
- A relative who prioritizes their needs above all else, ignoring your struggles.
13. Clingy
A clingy person excessively relies on others for emotional support and attention, often only when they need something.
Examples:
- A friend who constantly calls when theyโre feeling low but disappears when theyโre okay.
- A colleague who seeks your approval and help for every little task.
- A family member who requires your constant attention but rarely reciprocates.
14. Ingrate
An ingrate is someone who is ungrateful and fails to show appreciation for what they receive. This term underscores a lack of gratitude.
Examples:
- A friend who asks for help but never thanks you for it.
- Someone who takes your generosity for granted.
- A relative who expects assistance but doesnโt acknowledge your support.
15. Attention-seeker
An attention-seeker is someone who craves recognition and often reaches out only when they want to be noticed. This term suggests a lack of genuine connection.
Examples:
- A friend who only calls to share their achievements but ignores your news.
- Someone who seeks you out when they need compliments or validation.
- A colleague who seeks your help but vanishes when theyโre feeling confident.
16. Complainer
A complainer constantly voices dissatisfaction but may reach out only when they need assistance or sympathy.
Examples:
- A friend who only calls to complain about their life but never takes action to change it.
- A colleague who grumbles about their workload but never offers to help others.
- Someone who leans on you for support without contributing positively to the relationship.
17. Noncommittal
A noncommittal person avoids making commitments or responsibilities, often only reaching out when they need help.
Examples:
- A friend who doesnโt plan ahead but calls when they need a last-minute favor.
- Someone who doesnโt follow through on promises unless they need something.
- A colleague who wonโt take on extra work but expects you to cover for them.
18. Dilettante
A dilettante is someone who dabbles in various activities without serious commitment, often seeking help when needed.
Examples:
- A friend who takes up hobbies temporarily but expects your support throughout.
- Someone who seeks your expertise but shows no dedication to learning.
- A relative who tries many things but calls only when they need assistance.
19. Cynic
A cynic tends to distrust others’ motives and may only reach out for help when it benefits them.
Examples:
- A friend who doubts your intentions but still seeks your help when needed.
- Someone who is skeptical of others but leans on you for support.
- A colleague who questions your generosity yet expects you to cover their tasks.
20. Neglectful
A neglectful person fails to consider the needs of others, often reaching out only when they require assistance.
Examples:
- A friend who disappears for months and only contacts you when they need something.
- A relative who ignores your messages until they want something from you.
- A colleague who relies on you for help but doesnโt care about your workload.
21. Desperate
A desperate person reaches out when they feel they have no other options, often only contacting you when theyโre in a bind.
Examples:
- A friend who calls only when theyโre in trouble or need urgent help.
- Someone who reaches out for support only when things go wrong in their life.
- A relative who only appears during crises, seeking your assistance.
22. Imposter
An imposter pretends to be something theyโre not, often reaching out only to exploit your kindness or resources.
Examples:
- A friend who pretends to care about you but only wants favors.
- Someone who builds a false persona to gain your trust but vanishes when they donโt need anything.
- A colleague who acts friendly but is only interested in what you can provide.
23. Coattail Rider
A coattail rider is someone who takes advantage of othersโ successes or resources without contributing anything themselves.
Examples:
- A friend who benefits from your achievements but never offers support in return.
- Someone who seeks out your connections to further their own agenda.
- A colleague who relies on your hard work to shine without pulling their weight.
24. Exploiter
An exploiter takes advantage of others’ kindness or resources without any intention of reciprocation.
Examples:
- A friend who frequently asks for help but never considers your needs.
- Someone who leans on you during tough times but is never there when you need them.
- A family member who constantly reaches out for financial help but doesnโt offer assistance in return.
25. Sponge
A sponge absorbs resources from others without giving back, thriving on the generosity of those around them.
Examples:
- A friend who frequently borrows money but never pays it back.
- Someone who uses your resources without ever showing gratitude.
- A relative who depends on you for support but never lifts a finger to help you in return.
Conclusion
Describing someone who only calls when they need something can be both amusing and frustrating. Whether you see them as an opportunist or a freeloader, itโs important to set boundaries in relationships to ensure theyโre balanced and fulfilling.
While it’s natural to want to help, recognizing these behaviors can empower you to protect your time and energy. Remember, genuine friendships should be built on mutual support, not just convenience!

๐’๐ฆ Celia Anneย ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ “๐๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ” ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฐ๐ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฑ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ. ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฉ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐๐ค๐ฌ. ๐ ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐. ๐๐ญ “๐๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ฌ” ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ. ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ง๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง ๐ฎ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ.