sycophant
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
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
There is a striking example of the style of "Sir Pertinax Mac Sycophant," in a character of Marston's "What you Will."
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 15, August, 1851 by Various
When I am a Sycophant And a base gleaner from an others favour, As all you are that halt upon his crutches.
From A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2 by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)
Sycophant, sik′ō-fant, n. a common informer: a servile flatterer.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various
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
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.
