lackey

or lac·quey

[ lak-ee ]

noun

plural lackeys.

1. a servile follower; toady.
2. a footman or liveried manservant.

verb (used with object)

lackeyed, lackeying.

1. to attend as a lackey does.

lackey

/ ˈlækɪ /

noun

1. a servile follower; hanger-on
2. a liveried male servant or valet
3. a person who is treated like a servant

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by for to act as a lackey (to)

Other Word Forms

• un·lackeyed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lackey¹

1520–30; < Middle French laquais, perhaps < Catalan lacayo, alacayo < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of lackey¹

C16: via French laquais, from Old French, perhaps from Catalan lacayo, alacayo; perhaps related to alcalde

Example Sentences

In this, Trump's lackeys have a friend in the Supreme Court.

From Salon

I agree with your assessment, but it’s important to bear in mind the implications of your observation that Trump has turned the whole show and the whole government over to lackeys.

From Salon

A federal judge restrained the department’s unvetted lackeys from accessing payment systems on Saturday morning, emphasizing security and privacy risks.

From Salon

The temporary restraining order blocks Musk’s fresh-faced lackeys from accessing the payment systems responsible for disbursing federal paychecks, Social Security and Medicare benefits, and tax refunds.

From Salon

Its previous administrator, David Lebryk, left the department after a feud with Musk’s lackeys over access to the sensitive and secure systems.

From Salon