A lackey is usually a person who flatterspraises someone too much, often to gain favor or benefit or obeysdoes what another person tells you to do someone in order to get an advantagea helpful benefit that improves your situation. It can also mean a servant, especially an old-fashioned male servant. The word is often negative when used about a person’s behavior.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈlæki/
Easy pronunciation: LAK-ee (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable: LAK-ee.
Use this pronunciation for the noun meaning a person who flatters or obeys another person to gain advantage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lackey Meaning
someone who flatters or obeys another person to get something from them
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
Example: He acted like the mayor’s lackey, always agreeing with everything she said.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- sycophant — A strong synonym for someone who flatters for personal gain.
- toady — Works well for a person who flatters or grovels to gain favor.
- crawler — Can work in the same sense, though it is a little more informal and less common.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Lackey
Meaning 2
an old-fashioned male servant
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a male servant (especially a footman)
Example: In the novel, the lackey opened the door and announced the guests.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- flunkey — A close synonym for a servant, especially in older or formal usage.
- flunky — A common variant spelling and synonym in this servant sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Lackey Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- sycophant
- toady
a male servant (especially a footman)
- flunkey
- flunky
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse lackey with an ordinary helper; it usually suggests blind obedience or servility.
- In older usage, lackey can mean a servant, especially a male servant or footman.
- The two senses are different: one is insulting behavior, the other is a job title or role.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lackey mean in everyday English?
Usually, it means someone who flatters or obeys a more powerful person in order to get an advantage.
Is lackey an insult?
Yes. It is usually insulting when used for a person who acts servile or obedient for personal gain.
Can lackey mean servant?
Yes. In older or more formal usage, it can mean a male servant, especially a footman.
What are the best synonyms for lackey?
For the flatterer sense, sycophant and toady are the best matches. For the servant sense, flunkey and flunky fit best.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-02. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
