lackey
lackey Lexical Profile
lackey Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A servile follower or subordinate who obsequiously carries out the orders of a powerful person.
"The corrupt executive surrounded himself with loyal lackeys who never questioned his unethical decisions."
A liveried male servant or footman who attends to a nobleman or household of high rank (historical).
"Two liveried lackeys stood by the carriage door waiting to assist the duke."
• verb
To wait upon or attend someone in a servile, obsequious manner.
"He spent years lackeying for the wealthy senator in hopes of securing a political appointment."
Word Nuance & Usage
In modern usage, 'lackey' is almost exclusively pejorative, denoting someone who obeys an authority figure with excessive servility.
• Rhymes for lackey
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 16th century from Middle French 'laquais' (foot soldier, footman), from Spanish 'lacayo' or Catalan 'alacay', possibly ultimately of Arabic origin.