HOW TO PRONOUNCE
sycophant
/ˈsɪkəfænt/
IPA accent not specified by source
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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What does sycophant mean?
noun
- One who uses obsequious compliments to gain self-serving favour or advantage from another; a servile flatterer.
- One who seeks to gain through the powerful and influential.
More meanings (3)
noun
- (obsolete) An informer; a talebearer.
verb
- (obsolete) To inform against; hence, to calumniate.
- (rare) To play the sycophant toward; to flatter obsequiously.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈsɪkəfænt/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Other dictionary pronunciations
/ˈsɪkəfənt//ˈsaɪkəfænt//ˈsaɪkəfənt/
These alternatives are not labeled by regional accent.
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
The smooth sycophant of the cabin had wholly disappeared, and the boy listened with wonder to a vulgar and truculent ruffian.
A discussion ensued, speeches were made, and Polybius answered the sycophant at large.
More book examples (2)
For downright fawning obsequiousness, or delicate, implied, fine-strung, subtle flattery, I will back a Hindoo sycophant against the courtier or place-hunter of every other nation.
To the surprise of all, who knew how scrupulous of insult he was,--how indulgent and forbearing,--he turned away from the trimmer and the sycophant without recognition.