bootlick

verb

boot·lick | \ ˈbüt-ˌlik

How to pronounce bootlick (audio)

\

bootlicked; bootlicking; bootlicks

Definition of bootlick

transitive verb

: to try to gain favor with through a servile or obsequious manner

intransitive verb

: to act obsequiously

Other Words from bootlick Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about bootlick

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of bootlick in a Sentence

the kind of office in which people feel they have to bootlick in order to get ahead

Recent Examples on the Web

Those who delay this fate the longest are bootlicking mediocrities — the survival of the sycophants. — Michael Gerson, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump unbound amid a cloud of chaos," 18 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bootlick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about bootlick

Dictionary Entries near bootlick

boots and saddles

Statistics for bootlick

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for bootlick

The first known use of bootlick was in 1845

See more words from the same year

WORD OF THE DAY

fiduciary

involving a confidence or trust

Test Your Vocabulary

Word Puzzles

Which answer pairs best with each of the following words? living, estate, club, music, road, mile

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ