Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

suck-up

noun \ ˈsək-ˌəp \

Definition of suck-up

: a person who is ingratiating or fawning
  • a suck-up to the teacher

See suck-up defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of suck-up

1970

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

SUCK-UP Defined for English Language Learners

suck-up

noun

Definition of suck-up for English Language Learners

  • : a person who tries to get the approval of someone in authority by saying and doing helpful and friendly things that are not sincere

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up suck-up? 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

adulation

play

excessive admiration or flattery

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

suck-up

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

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

Ask the Editors

Word Games