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Definition of lickspittle

lickspittle

/ˈlɪkˌspɪt.əl/
lick · spit · tle
Plural:lickspittles
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lickspittle Lexical Profile

lickspittle Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who behaves in an obsequious, fawning, or servile manner toward someone in authority in order to gain favor; a sycophant or toady.

Example

"The tyrannical director surrounded himself with eager lickspittles who praised his every decision without question."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lickspittle

• Nearby Words

lick
licker
licking
lickspittle
licorice
lid
lidded

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 17th century as an expressive compound of the verb "lick" and the noun "spittle" (saliva), vividly evoking a person so servile they would lick another's spit from the ground.

Cite this Entry

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