stooge
Stooge (noun) means someone who lets themselves be used by others, usually to take the blame or do the dirty work. Example: “He was made the stooge for a scheme he barely understood.”
How to use stooge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone being used, often without fully realising it, to serve someone else's interests.
Almost always used dismissively or with contempt — calling someone a stooge is an insult, not a neutral job description.
Word forms
stooged past tense, stooges plural, stooges singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was made the _____ for a scheme he barely understood.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly from Russian студент (studént, "student"), which once meant a stage assistant to a comedian; it may have come into English via Yiddish theatre slang.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for stooge
See all rhymes for stooge →Frequently asked questions
What does “stooge” mean?
The word “stooge” means someone who lets themselves be used by others, usually to take the blame or do the dirty work. In plain terms, someone being used, often without fully realising it, to serve someone else's interests.
How do you pronounce “stooge”?
“Stooge” is pronounced stooj (/stuːd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stooge” in a sentence?
Here is “stooge” used in a sentence: “He was made the stooge for a scheme he barely understood.”
What part of speech is “stooge”?
“Stooge” is a noun.
Where does the word “stooge” come from?
The word “stooge” comes from Russian. Origin uncertain — possibly from Russian студент (studént, "student"), which once meant a stage assistant to a comedian; it may have come into English via Yiddish theatre slang.
How many meanings does “stooge” have?
“Stooge” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who lets themselves be used by others, usually to take the blame or do the dirty work.
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