flunky
or flun·key
[ fluhng-kee ]
/ ˈflʌŋ ki /
noun, plural flun·kies.
a male servant in livery.
an assistant who does menial work.
a toady; yes-man.
Nearby words
flunitrazepam, flunk, flunk out, flunkey, flunkout, flunky, fluoborate, fluoboric, fluoboric acid, fluocinonide, fluon
Origin of flunky
First recorded in 1775–85; perhaps alteration of flanker
Related formsflun·ky·ism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for flunky
British Dictionary definitions for flunky
flunky
flunkey
/ (ˈflʌŋkɪ) /
noun plural flunkies or flunkeys
a servile or fawning person
a person who performs menial tasks
usually derogatory a manservant in livery
Word Origin for flunky
C18: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for flunky
flunky
also flunkey, 1782, Scottish dialect, "footman, liveried servant," of uncertain origin, perhaps a diminutive variant of flanker. Sense of "flatterer, toady" first recorded 1855.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper