Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

flunky

play
noun flun·ky \ ˈfləŋ-kē \
variants: or less commonly flunkey or flunkie

Definition of flunky

plural flunkies also flunkeys
1 a :a liveried servant
b :one performing menial or miscellaneous duties
2 :yes-man

See flunky defined for English-language learners

See flunky defined for kids

From the M-W Editors

young-plant-shoots
Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!
alt-59c2cb9e9ef54
Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"
video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066
image536372841
Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Examples of flunky in a Sentence

  1. If he can't go himself, he'll send one of his flunkies.

  2. since I'm just the flunky who files his papers, I've no idea where he is

Recent Examples of flunky from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of flunky

Scots, of unknown origin

flunky Synonyms

Synonyms
daily [British], domestic, servant (also flunkey or flunkie), lackey, menial, retainer, slavey, steward
Antonyms
master, mistress
Related Words
butler, footman, groom, houseboy, houseman, majordomo, man, manservant, servitor, valet; handmaiden (also handmaid), housekeeper, housemaid, lady-in-waiting, maid, maidservant, wench, woman; assistant, attendant, companion, factotum, follower; dogsbody [chiefly British], drudge, gofer (or gopher)
Near Antonyms
boss, captain, chief, foreman, head, headman, helmsman, kingpin, leader, taskmaster

FLUNKY Defined for English Language Learners

flunky

play
noun

Definition of flunky for English Language Learners

  • : a person who does small jobs for someone powerful or important

Learn More about flunky

  1. See words that rhyme with flunky Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flunky Britannica English: Translation of flunky for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up flunky? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

shofar

play

a ram's-horn trumpet used in Judaism

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. otherwise "in other respects"

  2. federalism Graham says bill gives power to states

  3. bodega "Don’t mess with the beloved bodega."

  4. carceral Of, relating to, or suggesting a jail or prison

  5. allegory No spoilers!

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

flunky

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

  • young-plant-shoots
  • Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

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

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-59c2960017c94
The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

image536372841
Silent Letters

When each letter can be seen but not heard

alt-59c17b8172892
'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

Its origins are surprisingly murky.

alt-59c13729150dc
"Immune to" or "Immune from"?

Nobody is immune to this question.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

payday
How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless
Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals
Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots
Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz
stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy
Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

Take the quiz
Bee Cubed
Bee Cubed

Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.

Play the game
Examples: flunky in a Sentence