doormat

noun

door·​mat ˈdȯr-ˌmat 

1

: a mat placed before or inside a door for wiping dirt from the shoes

2

: one that submits without protest to abuse or indignities

3

: a team that regularly finishes last

Synonyms

• jellyfish
• namby-pamby
• pushover
• reed
• weakling
• wimp

Examples of doormat in a Sentence

She was tired of being a doormat and decided it was time to stand up for herself.

a doormat who always gave in to his father's demands

Recent Examples on the Web

Best Outdoor Decor Deals Bird baths, doormats, pathway lights, and rugs transform patios into enjoyable oases ideal for enjoying the sunshine and entertaining guests. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Arched Coir Doormat This Beautiful by Drew Barrymore doormat is a charming and cute accessory to dress up your front porch just in time to enjoy it. —Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2025

Place a mat at each entrance to your home that way dirt and debris get stuck to the doormat and not your carpet fibers. —Jennifer Beck Goldblatt, Architectural Digest, 9 Jan. 2025

Most afternoons, work pants still hang on the clothes lines, dusty boots rest on doormats and children playfully run across the grass between the units. —Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for doormat

• begat
• bobcat
• chitchat
• ducat
• eclat
• format
• hazmat
• muskrat
• nonfat
• polecat
• thereat
• tomcat

Kids Definition

doormat

noun

door·​mat -ˌmat 

: a mat placed before or inside a door for wiping dirt from the shoes