English Explanatory Dictionary

lackey

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A footman, a liveried male servant.
  2. A fawning, servile follower.
verb
  1. To attend, wait upon, serve obsequiously.
  2. To toady, play the flunky.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈlæ.ki/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-lackey.wav

Word forms

lackey lackeys lacquey lacky lackeying lackeyed

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French laquais, which is probably (via Old Occitan lacai?) from Spanish lacayo, itself perhaps from Italian lacchè and Greek λακές (lakés), from Turkish ulak. Another possibility is through French, from Catalan alacay, from Arabic الْقَائِد (al-qāʔid). See French laquais.

Synonyms

lickspittle acolyte adjutant aide bootlicker disciple flunkey footman follower henchman hireling inferior lackey lap dog man Friday minion myrmidon poodle retainer right-hand man right-hand woman servant stooge subordinate sycophant toady underling vassal yes man

Derived words

lackey caterpillar lackeydom lackeyism lackey moth lackeyship unlackeyed
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