noun Common

Jenkins

JEHNG-kihnz

Jenkins (noun) means a person who fawns over or flatters others, especially to gain favor. Example: “He was such a jenkins around the boss, agreeing with everything she said.”

noun

A person who fawns over or flatters others, especially to gain favor.

"He was such a jenkins around the boss, agreeing with everything she said."

"Nobody trusted the new intern — he came across as a real jenkins to management."

How to use Jenkins

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, fairly rare word for a suck-up or yes-man.

When to use it

Dated and uncommon — most people will only recognize "Jenkins" as a surname; the common-noun sense rarely appears outside older texts.

Word forms

Jenkinses plural

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He was such a _____ around the boss, agreeing with everything she said.

Etymology

From the surname Jenkins, itself from the medieval given name Jenkin ("little John"). The flatterer sense comes from stock servant characters named Jenkins in older English fiction and theatre.

Synonyms

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flatterer toady sycophant bootlicker

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Jenkins” mean?

The word “Jenkins” means a person who fawns over or flatters others, especially to gain favor. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, fairly rare word for a suck-up or yes-man.

How do you pronounce “Jenkins”?

“Jenkins” is pronounced JEHNG-kihnz (/ˈd͡ʒɛŋkɪnz/ in IPA).

How do you use “Jenkins” in a sentence?

Here is “Jenkins” used in a sentence: “He was such a jenkins around the boss, agreeing with everything she said.”

What part of speech is “Jenkins”?

“Jenkins” is a noun.

Is “Jenkins” a common word?

“Jenkins” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What does it mean to call someone a Jenkins?

Calling someone a Jenkins describes them as a person who fawns over or flatters others, especially to gain favor. It is used as an informal, somewhat disapproving label for excessive flattery or toadying behavior.

Is Jenkins used as a common noun or just a surname?

While Jenkins is widely known as an ordinary English surname, in informal usage it can also function as a common noun describing a flatterer or fawning person.

Is calling someone a Jenkins a compliment?

No, describing someone as a Jenkins is generally critical or mocking, implying insincere flattery rather than genuine praise.

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