arse licker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumVery Informal, Vulgar
Quick answer
What does “arse licker” mean?
A person who acts obsequiously or fawningly towards someone in authority in order to gain advantage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who acts obsequiously or fawningly towards someone in authority in order to gain advantage; a sycophant.
Can also imply someone who ingratiates themselves through excessive agreement, flattery, or the performance of demeaning tasks. The term often carries strong negative moral judgment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The British English "arse licker" is equivalent to the American English "ass-kisser" or "brown-noser." The word "arse" is replaced by "ass" in American usage.
Connotations
Equally offensive and vulgar in both dialects. The British version may sound more archaic or regionally marked to an American ear, while the American version is more globally recognized through media.
Frequency
"Ass-kisser" is more frequent in contemporary American English than "arse licker" is in British English, where synonyms like "crawler" or "suck-up" might be used in slightly less crude contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “arse licker” in a Sentence
He is an arse licker.Stop arse-licking!She accused him of arse-licking.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arse licker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's always arse-licking the manager to get on the good projects.
- I won't arse-lick my way to the top.
American English
- He's always ass-kissing the boss to get better shifts.
- She accused him of ass-kissing to get the promotion.
adverb
British English
- He agreed arse-lickingly with every point she made.
American English
- She laughed ass-kissingly at the boss's terrible joke.
adjective
British English
- His arse-licking comments were transparent to everyone.
- I can't stand his arse-licking attitude.
American English
- Her ass-kissing behaviour made her unpopular with her peers.
- He gave an ass-kissing speech at the award ceremony.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare and inappropriate; would be a severe HR violation. Might be used in a hostile, informal complaint about a colleague perceived as overly deferential.
Academic
Unacceptable in any formal or written context.
Everyday
Used in very informal, often hostile or jocular (among close friends) spoken contexts to express contempt for someone seen as servile.
Technical
No technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arse licker”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arse licker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arse licker”
- Confusing it with 'butter up' which is milder and not vulgar.
- Using 'arse licker' in a formal or semi-formal context.
- Spelling as 'ass-licker' in British English texts (though understood).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered highly vulgar and offensive due to the use of 'arse,' which is a crude term for buttocks. It should be avoided in all polite and professional conversation.
The most direct American equivalent is 'ass-kisser.' Other common, slightly less crude synonyms include 'brown-noser' and 'bootlicker.'
It can be used in a jocular, teasing manner among very close friends who share a vulgar sense of humour. However, there is a high risk of causing offence, so it should be used with extreme caution.
Yes. In British English, you can say 'to arse-lick' (e.g., 'Stop arse-licking!'). In American English, the verb is 'to ass-kiss' (e.g., 'He's always ass-kissing').
A person who acts obsequiously or fawningly towards someone in authority in order to gain advantage.
Arse licker is usually very informal, vulgar in register.
Arse licker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑːs ˌlɪk.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːrs ˌlɪk.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lick someone's arse/ass”
- “Kiss up to someone”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone literally trying to LICK an ARSE to get a promotion. The absurd, disgusting image perfectly captures the extreme and shameless flattery the term describes.
Conceptual Metaphor
SERVILITY IS A DISGUSTING PHYSICAL ACT (LICKING), SOCIAL HIERARCHY IS A BODY (THE BOSS/SUPERIOR IS THE ARSE).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate synonym for 'arse licker' in a formal business report?