doormat

American  

[dawr-mat, dohr-] / ˈdɔrˌmæt, ˈdoʊr- /

noun

1. a mat, usually placed before a door or other entrance, for people arriving to wipe their shoes on before entering.

2. a person who is the habitual object of abuse or humiliation by another.

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doormat British  

/ ˈdɔːˌmæt /

noun

1. a mat, placed at the entrance to a building, for wiping dirt from shoes

2. informal a person who offers little resistance to ill-treatment by others

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Etymology

Origin of doormat

First recorded in 1655–65; door + mat ¹

Example Sentences

A note the attackers left under his doormat read "No Data Centers."

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Then he transformed Indiana, a longtime Big Ten doormat, into a national championship contender.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

Most humans would rather be a doormat than a battering ram, regardless of the urgency or circumstance.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2025

Read: Meta’s stock is the new ‘Magnificent Seven’ doormat.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 10, 2025

I start up the stairs, glancing in my most casual spylike way at Mr. X’s doormat as I pass it.

From "Liar & Spy" by Rebecca Stead

Related Words

• groupie
• lackey