Dictionary Home »
Webster's New World College Dictionary » sycophant
sycophant 
sycophant definition
syco·phant (sik′ə fənt, -fant′)
noun
a person who seeks favor by flattering people of wealth or influence; parasite; toady
Etymology: L sycophanta < Gr sykophantēs, informer, lit., maker of the sign of the fig < sykon, fig + phainein, to show: see fantasy
Related Forms:
- sycophantic syc′o·phan′·tic (-fan′tik) adjective or sycophantish syc′o·phant′·ish
- sycophantically syc′o·phan′·ti·cally adverb or sycophantishly syc′o·phant′·ishly
- sycophantism syc′o·phant·ism′ noun
Browse dictionary definitions near sycophant
Also Mentioned In