doormat

[dawr-mat, dohr-]

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.

doormat

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of doormat¹

First recorded in 1655–65; door + mat ¹

Example Sentences

A possible opportunity: Meta’s stock is the new ‘Magnificent Seven’ doormat.

Read more on MarketWatch

Atlanta closed with a 1-1 draw against Eastern Conference doormat DC United that allowed Atlanta to avoid the bottom of the table.

Read more on Barron's

I don’t want to nag, but neither do I want to be a doormat.

Read more on MarketWatch

"We're now braced for the autumn rush, when people start getting their energy bills on the doormat. This is by far the busiest period."

Read more on BBC

They learned to expect a knock at the door, a small plate of jelly left on the doormat.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• groupie 
• lackey