noun
turncoat
TUHN-koht
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
Word Forms
turncoated past tense, turncoats plural, turncoats singular
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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.