verb
- to try to gain favor with someone in authority by excessive flattery or obsequious behavior
Usage: informal; disapproving
noun
- a person who tries to gain favor through excessive flattery or obsequious behavior
Usage: informal; disapproving
Examples
- He’s always brownnosing the boss to get a promotion.
- Stop brownnosing and just do your job well.
- She accused him of being a brownnose who never disagreed with management.
- The teacher could tell which students were brownnosing versus genuinely interested.
- Nobody likes a brownnose who constantly seeks approval.
- He was brownnosing so obviously that it backfired.