lackey

or lac·quey

[ lak-ee ]

/ ˈlæk i /

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See synonyms for lackey on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural lack·eys.

a servile follower; toady.

a footman or liveried manservant.

verb (used with object), lack·eyed, lack·ey·ing.

to attend as a lackey does.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of lackey

1520–30; <Middle French laquais, perhaps <Catalan lacayo, alacayo< ?

OTHER WORDS FROM lackey

un·lack·eyed, adjective

Words nearby lackey

lack, lackadaisical, lackaday, Lackawanna, lacker, lackey, lackey moth, lacking, Lackland Air Force Base, lackluster, lacklustre

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lackey in a sentence

A buck-naked Jamal—don't ask—is dealing with the lackey by beating him in a bathroom.
Generic and Superficial ‘Tyrant’ Amerisplains the Middle East|Andrew Romano|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Bassam shouts, just as Jamal slices into the screaming lackey's fingers with a straight razor.
Generic and Superficial ‘Tyrant’ Amerisplains the Middle East|Andrew Romano|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Wayne returns, the U.S. government sends its lackey Superman to pound some sense into Batman.
The Super-Stuffed Superhero Movie|Chancellor Agard|December 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Last term Netanyahu gave the post to his lackey Yuval Steinitz, who was never heard from again.
Lapid Lost, Obama Distracts|Gershom Gorenberg|March 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST

An aide named Miles Lackey was sitting in the front passenger seat.
Ex-Staffers Claim That Elizabeth Edwards Knew About John’s Infidelity|Diane Dimond|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A fellow rudely clad—a hybrid between man-at-arms and lackey—lounged on a musket to confront them in the gateway.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
The soldier lackey resigned the reins to Rabecque, and requested Monsieur de Garnache to follow him.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
But mindful of her fears, he dispatched one of the troopers to stand sentry outside her door whilst he and his lackey supped.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
He turned to Rabecque, and the sight of his face sent the lackey back a pace or two in very fear.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Rabecque, reflecting his master's mood—as becomes a good lackey—rode silent and gloomy a pace or two in the rear.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for lackey

lackey

/ (ˈlækɪ) /

noun

a servile follower; hanger-on

a liveried male servant or valet

a person who is treated like a servant

verb

(when intr, often foll by for) to act as a lackey (to)

Also (rare): lacquey

Word Origin for lackey

C16: via French laquais, from Old French, perhaps from Catalan lacayo, alacayo; perhaps related to alcalde

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lackey

or lac·quey

Origin of lackey

OTHER WORDS FROM lackey

Words nearby lackey

Words related to lackey

How to use lackey in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lackey

Word Origin for lackey