sycophant
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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sycophancynoun
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sycophantismnoun
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sycophanticadjective
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sycophanticaladjective
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sycophantishadjective
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sycophanticallyadverb
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sycophantishlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of sycophant
First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin sȳcophanta, from Greek sȳkophántēs “informer,” from sŷko(n) “fig” + phan- (stem of phaínein “to show”) + -tēs, agent noun suffix
Explanation
A sycophant is a person who tries to win favor from wealthy or influential people by flattering them. Also known as brown-nosers, teacher's pets or suck-ups. Sycophant is from Latin sycophanta, from Greek sykophantēs, from sykon "fig" and phainein "to show, make known." The original sense was that of an informer, a person who gives information about criminal activities. "Showing the fig" was a vulgar gesture made by sticking the thumb between two fingers. The gesture was used to taunt an opponent or to make an accusation against someone.
Vocabulary lists containing sycophant
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She was Lux Interior yowling into the mike during "Sycophant."
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2014
Dogs still bear without abuse the grand old name of Sycophant.
From The Cardinal's Snuff-Box by Harland, Henry
On an apple being thrown at Mr. Cooke, whilst playing Sir Pertinax Mac Sycophant.
From The Jest Book The Choicest Anecdotes and Sayings by Lemon, Mark
What Man is safe from the malicious Prosecution of such Persons, unless it be the cringing Sycophant, and even he holds his Life and Property at their Mercy.
From The Writings of Samuel Adams - Volume 2 by Cushing, Harry Alonzo
Your best way of gaining their Esteem, is by preserving Your Character, to the last, of a General Satyrist my Dear, not. by degenerating to a Public Sycophant.
From The Covent Garden Theatre, or Pasquin Turn'd Drawcansir by Macklin, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
