Uncle Tom

noun
Un·​cle Tom | \ ˌəŋ-kəl-ˈtäm How to pronounce Uncle Tom (audio) \

Definition of Uncle Tom

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 disparaging : a black person who is overeager to win the approval of whites (as by obsequious behavior or uncritical acceptance of white values and goals)
2 disparaging : a person who is overly subservient to or cooperative with authority the worst floor managers and supervisors by far are women … Some of them are regular Uncle Toms— Jane Fonda

Uncle Tom

verb
Uncle Tommed; Uncle Tomming

Definition of Uncle Tom (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

disparaging
: to behave like an Uncle Tom

Other Words from Uncle Tom

Noun

Uncle Tomism \ ˌəŋ-​kəl-​ˈtä-​ˌmi-​zəm How to pronounce Uncle Tomism (audio) \ noun

First Known Use of Uncle Tom

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1933, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Uncle Tom

Noun

Uncle Tom, pious and faithful black slave in Uncle Tom's Cabin (1851–52) by Harriet Beecher Stowe

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More Definitions for Uncle Tom

Uncle Tom

noun

English Language Learners Definition of Uncle Tom

disapproving : a black person who is eager to win the approval of white people and willing to cooperate with them