noun
turncoat
TUHN-koht
Turncoat (noun) means a person who betrays their former group, cause, or allegiance to join the opposing side. Example: “His old comrades branded him a turncoat after he switched political parties.”
noun
1
A person who betrays their former group, cause, or allegiance to join the opposing side.
"His old comrades branded him a turncoat after he switched political parties."
How to use turncoat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who flips loyalty and joins the opposing side, seen as a betrayer by their old allies.
Common pairings
branded a turncoat
act like a turncoat
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Word forms
- Plural
- turncoats
- Third person singular
- turncoats
- Past tense
- turncoated
Fill the gap
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His old comrades branded him a _____ after he switched political parties.
Etymology
A compound of "turn" and "coat," reportedly from the old military trick of wearing a reversible coat lined in a different color to switch sides visually.
Related words
Rhymes for turncoat
See all rhymes for turncoat →Frequently asked questions
What does “turncoat” mean?
The word “turncoat” means a person who betrays their former group, cause, or allegiance to join the opposing side. In plain terms, someone who flips loyalty and joins the opposing side, seen as a betrayer by their old allies.
How do you pronounce “turncoat”?
“Turncoat” is pronounced TUHN-koht (/ˈtɝn.koʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “turncoat” in a sentence?
Here is “turncoat” used in a sentence: “His old comrades branded him a turncoat after he switched political parties.”
What part of speech is “turncoat”?
“Turncoat” is a noun.
