What does adulator mean?
An adulator is a person who flatters or praises someone else excessively and insincerely, usually with the aim of gaining favor, advancement, or protection. The word is a formal noun describing the individual agent of adulation — the courtier praising the king, the employee lavishing compliments on the boss, the hanger-on who never offers an honest opinion. It carries an unmistakably negative connotation: to call someone an adulator is to accuse them of servility and opportunism rather than genuine admiration. In modern usage the term appears most often in literary, historical, or political commentary, where everyday alternatives such as 'flatterer,' 'sycophant,' or 'toady' are more common. Its usefulness lies in its precision — it names not just the act of flattering but the character of the person who makes flattery a habit. English also has the related verb 'adulate' and noun 'adulation,' which describe the excessive praise itself.
nounA person who flatters or praises someone excessively, especially in order to gain favor or advantage.
- A person who flatters others excessively, typically to win favor or advantage.
"The king surrounded himself with adulators who never dared contradict him."
"The CEO's meetings were filled with adulators eager to agree with his every word."
"Rather than offer honest counsel, the court's adulators praised even the prince's most reckless decisions."
Standard plural; used when referring to multiple people engaged in flattery.
"The palace was crowded with adulators competing for the queen's attention."
An adulator is what a courtier becomes when flattery turns into a full-time job.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of adulator
Adulator derives from the Latin verb 'adulari,' meaning 'to fawn upon' or 'to flatter,' via the post-classical Latin 'adulator.' The word entered English in the late Middle Ages through learned borrowing from Latin. It belongs to the same family as 'adulate' and 'adulation,' all tracing back to that single Latin root for servile flattery.
How adulator is actually used
Formal and somewhat literary in register; in everyday speech, words like 'flatterer' or 'sycophant' are more common. The term carries a strongly negative connotation, implying insincerity and self-interest.
Easily confused with adulator
Adulation is the excessive praise itself, while an adulator is the person who gives it.