doormat

noun

door·​mat ˈdȯr-ˌmat How to pronounce doormat (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This goes beyond colorful containers and cute doormats. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025 At age 40, Matt Rhule flipped Temple from a doormat to a 10-win team that played for the American Conference championship. Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025 Wiping your shoes on a doormat doesn’t help much, either, since most shoes have soles with crevices that collect germs and bacteria. Angela Haupt, Time, 25 Aug. 2025 However, the doormat goes to the Hustlers, who like Orlando endeavored to dismantle a successful 2024 playoff team and turn it into the worst team in 2025, a weird look for a team owned by one of the lead investors in the league. Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doormat

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of doormat was in 1665

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doormat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doormat. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

doormat

noun
door·​mat -ˌmat How to pronounce doormat (audio)
: a mat placed before or inside a door for wiping dirt from the shoes

More from Merriam-Webster on doormat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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