brown-nose

[ broun-nohz ]
/ ˈbraʊnˌnoʊz /
Slang.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR brown-nose ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), brown-nosed, brown-nos·ing.

to curry favor; behave obsequiously.

verb (used with object), brown-nosed, brown-nos·ing.

to seek favors from (a person) in an obsequious manner; fawn over.

noun

Also brown-nos·er. a toady; sycophant.
Compare ass-kissing.

Origin of brown-nose

First recorded in 1935–40; brown + nose

Words nearby brown-nose

brown water, brown, john, brown-and-serve, brown-bag, brown-eyed susan, brown-nose, brown-state, brown-séquard's syndrome, brown-tail moth, browne, browned off

Words related to brown-nose

fawn, beseech, gush, praise, worship, kowtow, pamper, flatter, creep, humor, stoop, implore, blandish, kneel, wheedle, crouch, snivel, court, crawl, truckle

British Dictionary definitions for brown-nose

brown-nose
/ slang /

verb

to be abjectly subservient (to); curry favour (with)

noun

an abjectly subservient person; sycophant

Word Origin for brown-nose

C20: from the notion that a subservient person kisses the backside of the person with whom he or she is currying favour