toady

[ toh-dee ]

noun

, plural toad·ies.

1. an obsequious flatterer; sycophant.

   Synonyms: apple polisher, fawner, parasite

verb (used with object)

, toad·ied, toad·y·ing.

1. to be the toady to.

verb (used without object)

, toad·ied, toad·y·ing.

1. to be a toady.

toady

/ ˈtəʊdɪ /

noun

1. a person who flatters and ingratiates himself or herself in a servile way; sycophant

verb

1. to fawn on and flatter (someone)

Derived Forms

• ˈtoadyish, adjective
• ˈtoadyism, noun

Other Words From

• toady·ish adjective
• toady·ism noun
• un·toady·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of toady¹

First recorded in 1680–90; toad + -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of toady¹

C19: shortened from toadeater

Example Sentences

To say that, as a great moral reformer, he had no enemies, would be to say that he was a toady and a time-server.

From Project Gutenberg

Swift was a toady at heart, and used Stella vilely for the sake of that hussy Vanessa.

From Project Gutenberg

But if Toady told you that, then no one can blame the Gardeness.

From Project Gutenberg

Maybe he got his toady, Jack Pender, to set the place afire so nothing would ever come out about it, suggested Bob.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Toady Lion, having a "pinch-bug" coralled in his palms, sat regarding it cautiously between his thumbs.

From Project Gutenberg