bootlick

[ boot-lik ]
See synonyms for: bootlickbootlickingbootlicker on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to seek the favor or goodwill of in a servile, degraded way; toady to.

verb (used without object)
  1. to be a toady.

Origin of bootlick

1
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; boot1 + lick

Other words for bootlick

Other words from bootlick

  • boot·lick·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for bootlick

bootlick

/ (ˈbuːtˌlɪk) /


verb
  1. informal to seek favour by servile or ingratiating behaviour towards (someone, esp someone in authority); toady

Derived forms of bootlick

  • bootlicker, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012