brown-nose: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Colloquial, Pejorative, Humorous
Quick answer
What does “brown-nose” mean?
To seek favour or gain advantage through flattery, servility, or obsequious attention to superiors.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To seek favour or gain advantage through flattery, servility, or obsequious attention to superiors.
To act in an excessively ingratiating or sycophantic manner, often to the point of self-abasement. Also, a person who behaves in this way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both forms ('brown-nose' and 'brownnose') are used in both varieties, but the hyphenated form may be slightly more common in UK. The derivative nouns are 'brown-noser' (more common) and 'brownnoser'.
Connotations
Equally pejorative and humorous in both varieties. More common in speech than formal writing.
Frequency
Similar frequency in informal contexts. The behaviour is universally recognized and the term is widely understood.
Grammar
How to Use “brown-nose” in a Sentence
[Subject] brown-noses [Person/Authority Figure][Subject] is brown-nosing (for something)[Subject] is a brown-noserVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brown-nose” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's always brown-nosing the department head to get first pick of projects.
- If you spent less time brown-nosing and more time working, you might actually get promoted on merit.
American English
- She totally brown-nosed her way onto the committee by complimenting the chair every day.
- Don't brown-nose me; just tell me what you really think.
adverb
British English
- He smiled brown-nosingly at the manager.
American English
- She agreed brown-nosingly with everything the CEO said.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically to describe colleagues seen as excessively flattering managers for promotion.
Academic
Rare in formal academic writing; may appear in sociological/political discussions of power dynamics.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation to describe people trying to get on someone's good side (e.g., a student with a teacher).
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brown-nose”
- Using it in formal contexts like a CV or official report.
- Confusing it with simple flattery; 'brown-nosing' implies a sustained, obvious, and self-serving campaign.
- Incorrectly conjugating as 'browned-nose' (past is 'brown-nosed').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a pejorative, informal term. It is insulting to label someone a 'brown-noser'. Use with caution, typically among peers, not to someone's face or in professional writing.
'Flatter' is more general and can be neutral or mild. 'Brown-nose' is specifically about seeking favour from authority through obvious, excessive, and often servile flattery. It implies a lack of sincerity and dignity.
Yes, the person is a 'brown-noser' (or 'brownnose'). The activity is 'brown-nosing' (a gerund/noun).
Yes, it is common and understood in both varieties with the same strong negative connotation. Minor spelling preferences (hyphenation) may vary.
To seek favour or gain advantage through flattery, servility, or obsequious attention to superiors.
Brown-nose is usually informal, colloquial, pejorative, humorous in register.
Brown-nose: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbraʊn nəʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbraʊn noʊz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to suck up to someone”
- “to kiss up to someone”
- “to be a teacher's pet”
- “to lick someone's boots”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone with their nose turned BROWN from being stuck up someone's backside — a crude but memorable image of extreme flattery.
Conceptual Metaphor
FLATTERY/OBSEQUIOUSNESS IS PHYSICAL DEBASEMENT (associating servile behaviour with a physically dirty, demeaning act).
Practice
Quiz
In which situation would someone most likely be accused of 'brown-nosing'?