sycophant

[ sik-uh-fuhnt, -fant, sahy-kuh- ]
/ ˈsɪk ə fənt, -ˌfænt, ˈsaɪ kə- /

noun

a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite.

Origin of sycophant

1530–40; < Latin sȳcophanta < Greek sȳkophántēs informer, equivalent to sŷko(n) fig + phan- (stem of phaínein to show) + -tēs agentive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM sycophant

syc·o·phan·tic, syc·o·phan·ti·cal, syc·o·phant·ish, adjective syc·o·phan·ti·cal·ly, syc·o·phant·ish·ly, adverb syc·o·phant·ism, noun

Example sentences from the Web for sycophantic

British Dictionary definitions for sycophantic (1 of 2)

sycophantic
/ (ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk) /

adjective

using flattery to win favour from individuals wielding influence; toadyish; obsequious

Derived forms of sycophantic

sycophantically, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for sycophantic (2 of 2)

sycophant
/ (ˈsɪkəfənt) /

noun

a person who uses flattery to win favour from individuals wielding influence; toady

Derived forms of sycophant

sycophancy, noun

Word Origin for sycophant

C16: from Latin sӯcophanta, from Greek sukophantēs, literally: the person showing a fig, apparently referring to the fig sign used in making an accusation, from sukon fig + phainein to show; sense probably developed from ``accuser'' to ``informer, flatterer''