First Known Use: 1826
Dictionary
1toady
noun \ˈtō-dē\
: a person who praises and helps powerful people in order to get their approval
plural toad·ies
Full Definition of TOADY
: one who flatters in the hope of gaining favors : sycophant
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Origin of TOADY
by shortening & alteration from toadeater
Related to TOADY
- Synonyms
- apple-polisher, bootlicker, brownnoser, fawner, flunky (also flunkey or flunkie), lickspittle, suck-up, sycophant
Synonym Discussion of TOADY
parasite, sycophant, toady, leech, sponge mean a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker. parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society <a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites>. sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation <a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants>. toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker <cultivated leaders of society and became their toady>. leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage <a leech living off his family and friends>. sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger <a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout>.
2toady
intransitive verb
: to try to get the approval of someone powerful by saying and doing helpful and friendly things that are not sincere : to be a toady
toad·iedtoady·ing
Full Definition of TOADY
: to behave as a toady : engage in sycophancy
— toady·ism \-ē-ˌi-zəm\ noun
First Known Use of TOADY
circa 1859
Synonym Discussion of TOADY
fawn, toady, truckle, cringe, cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior. fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention <waiters fawning over a celebrity>. toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude <toadying to his boss>. truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior <truckling to a powerful lobbyist>. cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility <a cringing sycophant>. cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people <cowering before a bully>.
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