Quick answer
Sycophant means an insincere flatterer. It is used for someone who praises authority figures mainly to gain favor, protection, status, or advantage.
Word page
Sycophant Meaning
A sycophant is someone who flatters powerful people for selfish reasons. The word is excellent for office politics, courtly drama, public life, and any situation where praise starts to smell suspiciously strategic.
At a glance
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, a sycophant is not just a polite person or a fan. A sycophant praises, agrees, and flatters because they want something from someone with power.
Tone, context, and nuance
Sycophant is sharper than flatterer because it implies self-interest and insincerity. It is less casual than brownnoser and more elegant than bootlicker. Use it when the flattery is connected to power.
Word origin
Sycophant comes from Greek through Latin and French. Its older history is debated, but modern English uses it for a self-serving flatterer.
Example sentences
- Simple: The sycophant agreed with every word the boss said.
- Everyday: He sounded less like a teammate and more like a sycophant.
- Writing: The king’s court was crowded with sycophants, each smiling harder than the last.
- Nuance: Sycophant suggests flattery with a purpose, not ordinary kindness.
- Awkward: "She complimented my coat, so she is a sycophant." Better: "She gave a sincere compliment."
Common mistakes
- Using it for sincere praise: A sycophant flatters insincerely or self-servingly.
- Forgetting the power angle: The word often involves someone flattering a superior or powerful person.
- Confusing it with psychopath: The words look and sound different, but learners sometimes mix them up.
- Using it too lightly: Sycophant is a pointed insult, not a neutral label.
Similar words and differences
Opposite words
critic, honest adviser, independent thinker, truth-teller, straight shooter
Word family
Related forms include sycophancy and sycophantic. Sycophantic describes behavior that is excessively flattering and self-serving.
Writing tip
Use sycophant when flattery is strategic. If the tone needs to be casual, brownnoser may fit; if you want old-fashioned disgust, lickspittle has more bite.
Common questions
- What does sycophant mean in simple words? Sycophant means someone who flatters powerful people in a selfish or insincere way.
- Is sycophant an insult? Yes. It criticizes someone for servile, self-serving flattery.
- What is the difference between sycophant and flatterer? A flatterer may simply praise; a sycophant flatters for advantage, usually toward someone powerful.
- How do you pronounce sycophant? Sycophant is pronounced SIK-uh-fant.
- What is another word for sycophant? Similar words include toady, lickspittle, flatterer, brownnoser, and bootlicker.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 14, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.
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