Lickspittle Meaning in English
word
ˈlɪkspɪtl
LIK-spit-l
lˈɪkspɪtəl
LIK-spit-uhl
Definition
A lickspittle is someone who flatters or praises people in power in an excessive and insincere way to gain favor.
Usage & Nuances
Very formal or literary, and often used with sarcasm or contempt. Rare in casual speech. Synonyms: sycophant, toady, bootlicker. Commonly describes extreme or obvious flattery toward those with power.
Spanish: adulador servil - lamebotasPortuguese (BR): bajulador servil - puxa-sacoPortuguese (PT): bajulador servil - lambe-botasChinese (Simplified): 拍马屁的人 - 奉承者Chinese (Traditional): 拍馬屁的人 - 奉承者Hindi: चापलूस - चमचाArabic: متملق ذليل - متسلقBengali: তোষামোদকারী - চাটুকার - পদলেহনকারীRussian: льстец - подхалим - лизоблюдJapanese: ごますり - 太鼓持ちVietnamese: kẻ nịnh hót - kẻ bợ đỡKorean: 아첨꾼 - 알랑꾼Turkish: yalaka - dalkavuk - yağcıUrdu: چاپلوس - خوشامدگوIndonesian: penjilat - penjilat kekuasaan
Example Sentences
Nobody trusts a lickspittle in the office.
basic
The king was surrounded by lickspittles.
basic
She refused to act like a lickspittle to get promoted.
basic
His reputation as a lickspittle made people avoid him at meetings.
natural
You don’t have to be a lickspittle to get ahead—just work hard.
natural
Critics called the new advisor a political lickspittle who would say anything to please the president.
natural