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

This goes beyond colorful containers and cute doormats. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025

Bears fans scooped up drink coasters and even doormats made of the plastic grass. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025

Inter’s early lead was a message, reiterated over the 90 minutes in studs and ambition: Inter are nobody’s doormats. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Stop Allergens at the Door: Place doormats at each entrance and encourage everyone to take their shoes off at the door to avoid tracking allergens deeper inside. —Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 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