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Definition of brownnose

brownnose

/ˈbraʊnˌnoʊz/
brown · nose
Plural:brownnoses
•
Past Simple:brownnosed
•
Past Participle:brownnosed
•
Present Participle:brownnosing
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brownnose Lexical Profile

brownnose Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To curry favor with someone important through obsequious flattery or servile behavior (informal, derogatory).

Example

"Instead of improving his actual sales performance, he tried to brownnose the regional manager for a promotion."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for brownnose

• noun

1

A person who acts in an obsequious or servile manner toward someone important in order to gain favor (informal, derogatory).

Example

"Everyone in the office knew he was a shameless brownnose who agreed with every single idea the director proposed."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for brownnose

Word Nuance & Usage

"Brownnose" (often hyphenated as "brown-nose") is an informal, mildly vulgar slang term that carries a strong pejorative connotation; in formal or professional writing, standard terms like "sycophant" or "ingratiate" are preferred.

• Nearby Words

brownish
brownishness
brownness
brownnose
brownnoser
brownout
browns falls

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in late 1930s American military slang, the term derives from the crude anatomical metaphor of kissing someone's buttocks to curry favor.

Cite this Entry

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