Toady means a person who flatters or acts overly nice to someone important just to gain favor or advantages. It’s another word for a suck-up or brown-noser.
In everyday life, you’ll hear people say things like, “He’s such a toady—always laughing at the boss’s jokes even when they aren’t funny,” or, “She became the manager’s toady and got the best shifts.” It’s the coworker who brings coffee only for the supervisor or the friend who suddenly agrees with everything the popular kid says.
Meaning & Usage Examples
- “I can’t stand how he toadies to the CEO every meeting.”
- “Stop being a toady and speak your mind.”
- “The actor’s toadies surrounded him backstage, hoping for a photo together.”
Context / Common Use
You’ll mostly hear “toady” in offices, schools, or any place where there’s a clear power gap. It’s slightly negative—people use it when someone’s loyalty feels fake or forced.
Is “toady” a formal word?
No. It’s conversational and often used when someone is annoyed or joking.
Can “toady” be a verb too?
Yes. You can say, “He toadies to his boss,” meaning he flatters the boss to get ahead.
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