bootlicker

/ˈbuːtlɪkə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbuːtlɪkər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbüt-ˌli-kər/ (ame, mw)

bootlicker — noun

  • bootlickersingular
  • bootlickersplural

1. a person who keeps praising and obeying someone powerful in a fake way because t

1.名詞C1
釋義

a person who keeps praising and obeying someone powerful in a fake way because they want rewards or special treatment

例句

Everyone at work knew Christopher was a bootlicker after he praised every weak idea.

pattern: be a bootlicker after public praise

The mayor liked bootlickers who laughed loudly at all his dull jokes.

同義詞
  • sycophant

    more formal and often used in writing or political discussion

  • toady

    older-fashioned and often sounds more theatrical or mocking

  • yes-man

    stresses constant agreement with authority more than praise does

  • brown-noser

    very informal and focused on obvious, embarrassing flattery

文法句型

be a bootlicker

sound like a bootlicker

call someone a bootlicker

用法筆記

Strongly insulting. It is usually used for someone who flatters a boss, leader, or other powerful person in public, especially when the praise feels fake and is meant to win favor.

常見錯誤

❌She is a bootlicker because she is always polite to teachers.
✅She is a bootlicker because she flatters teachers to get special treatment.
💡The word implies fake praise for advantage, not simple politeness.
❌The new worker is a bootlicker because he works hard for the manager.
✅The new worker is a bootlicker because he keeps praising the manager to win favor.
💡Working hard is not bootlicking unless it includes insincere submission.