Milquetoast: meaning, definitions and examples

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milquetoast

 

[ หˆmษชlkหŒtoสŠst ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

personality trait

A milquetoast is a timid, weak, or spineless person who lacks assertiveness or courage in social situations.

Synonyms

coward, doormat, weakling

Examples of usage

  • He was such a milquetoast that he couldn't even speak up for himself when his boss criticized him.
  • Don't be such a milquetoast, stand up for what you believe in!
Context #2 | Noun

character in literature

In literature, a milquetoast is often used to describe a character who is easily dominated or controlled by others, lacking in strength of character or willpower.

Synonyms

passive, spineless, submissive

Examples of usage

  • The protagonist of the novel was a milquetoast who allowed the antagonist to manipulate him at every turn.
  • She portrayed him as a milquetoast, always giving in to the demands of others.

Translations

Translations of the word "milquetoast" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น indeciso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฎเคœเฅ‹เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Weichei

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pengecut

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฑะพัะณัƒะท

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ miฤ™czak

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฐ—ใŒๅผฑใ„ไบบ (ใใŒใ‚ˆใ‚ใ„ใฒใจ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท poltron

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ tรญmido

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รงekingen

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์†Œ์‹ฌํ•œ ์‚ฌ๋žŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุถุนูŠู

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zbabฤ›lec

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zbabelec

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‡ฆๅคซ (nuรฒfลซ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ bojeฤneลพ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ veiklyndur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€า›ะฐา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒจแƒ˜แƒจแƒแƒ แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qorxaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ tรญmido

Etymology

The term 'milquetoast' originated from the comic strip character Caspar Milquetoast, created by H.T. Webster in the 1920s. The character was a weak, timid man who was constantly bullied and pushed around. The term has since become synonymous with someone who is timid or spineless in popular culture.

See also: toast, toasting, toasty.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,101, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.