Standard Lemma guide

bootlick

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈbutˌlɪk/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A toady or sycophant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, derogatory

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: buttlicker, lickpot, adulator, apple polisher, arse-kisser, arse-licker, ass-kisser, ass-licker, bootlick, bootlicker, buttkisser, brownnose, brown noser, clawback, dickrider, doormat, flatterer, flunkey, groveler, groveller, hanger-on, kiss-ass, lackey, lickspittle, lick-platter, minion, people pleaser, pickthank, schmoozer, simp, suck up, sycophant, throne sniffer, toadeater, toady, white knight

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To seek favor from by fawning, servile behavior.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: brownnose, butter up, kiss up, apple-polish, bootlick, bow and scrape, dickride, duchess, fawn, fawn over, fellate, flannel, honey around, honey up, kiss someone's ass, kiss someone's ring, kowtow, lick someone's ass, lick someone's balls, overflatter, overpraise, overrate, suck up, toady

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To engage in fawning, servile behavior.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He is always kowtowing to his boss

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: fawn, toady, truckle, kowtow, kotow, suck up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: flatter, blandish

Narrower terms: curry favor, curry favour, court favor, court favour

History

Etymology

From boot + lick.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 擦鞋 (caat3 haai4) — to seek favor from by fawning, servile behavior
  • Polish: podlizywać się — to seek favor from by fawning, servile behavior
  • Polish: podlizać się — to seek favor from by fawning, servile behavior
  • Turkish: çanak yalamak — to seek favor from by fawning, servile behavior
  • Turkish: göt yalamak — to seek favor from by fawning, servile behavior