timeserver

[ tahym-sur-ver ]

noun

1. a person who shapes their conduct to conform to the opinions of the time or of persons in power, especially for selfish ends.

timeserver

/ ˈtaɪmˌsɜːvə /

noun

1. a person who compromises and changes his or her opinions, way of life, etc, to suit the current fashions

Derived Forms

• ˈtimeˌserving, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• timeserving adjective noun
• timeserving·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of timeserver¹

First recorded in 1565–75; time + server

Example Sentences

Or, resenting managements that exploit them but don’t reward them, they resolve to join the legion of timeservers and clock-watchers.

From Los Angeles Times

But the adults are gone, and their replacements are mainly sycophants and timeservers who are happy to tell Trump that 2+2=22.

From Washington Post

There remains a hapless amiability about these comedic timeservers, even if it does feel as if, laugh-wise, we are stranded in 1988.

From The Guardian

Then, I wot the renegade Oswald, and sycophants and timeservers generally, will thrive.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm talking, of course, about the assorted villains and hapless timeservers in Armando Iannucci's satirical TV show The Thick of It.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• carpetbagger