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Definition of bootlicker

bootlicker

/ˈbuːtˌlɪk.ər/
boot · lick · er
Plural:bootlickers
•
Adjective:bootlicking
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bootlicker Lexical Profile

bootlicker Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An overly obsequious or servile person who flatters or submits to someone in power in order to gain favor or advantage.

Example

"The manager surrounded himself with bootlickers who never questioned his flawed business decisions."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for bootlicker

Word Nuance & Usage

"Bootlicker" is an informal, strongly derogatory term that implies a humiliating level of subservience, especially toward authoritarian figures, whereas "sycophant" is its formal equivalent.

• Nearby Words

bootleg
bootlegger
bootlick
bootlicker
bootlicking
bootmaker
bootstrap

Word Origin & Etymology

Attested in the mid-19th century as a compound of "boot" and "licker," referencing the ancient gesture of kissing or licking the footwear of a ruler or conqueror to demonstrate utter submission.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bootlicker. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bootlicker
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