lackey

1 of 2

noun

lack·​ey ˈla-kē How to pronounce lackey (audio)
plural lackeys
Synonyms of lackeynext
1
b
: someone who does menial tasks or runs errands for another
2
: a servile follower : toady

lackey

2 of 2

verb

lackeyed; lackeying

intransitive verb

archaic : to serve as a lackey : toady

transitive verb

: to wait upon or serve obsequiously

Synonyms of lackey

Examples of lackey in a Sentence

Noun He was nothing but a spineless lackey of the establishment. a celebrity surrounded by his lackeys
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Government institutions run by lackeys are also more easily manipulated by autocratic leaders, and no longer serve the public interest. Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026 And SpongeBob, determined to not be just a bubble blowing baby boy, is set off on his own odyssey that takes him and his jolly starfish sidekick Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke) on a madcap adventure to the underworld with the ghost of The Flying Dutchman ( Mark Hamill ) and his lackey Barb (Regina Hall). Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025 Tony & Ziva wrapped its rollercoaster of an espionage tale Thursday with an intense finale, which picked up with the titular pair once again going in search of their daughter Tali after she’s kidnapped by Jonah Markham’s (Julian Ovendon) lackeys. Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025 At the slightest provocation, Ye bullies, hectors, and screams at everyone from Paris fashion-show lackeys to the mother of his child. Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lackey

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French laquais

First Known Use

Noun

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1568, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of lackey was in 1523

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Cite this Entry

“Lackey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lackey. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

lackey

noun
lack·​ey
ˈlak-ē
plural lackeys
1
2
: an overly respectful follower : toady

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