groupie
|group-ie|
/ˈɡruːpi/
devoted follower of a band/celebrity
Etymology
'groupie' originates from American English, specifically formed from 'group' + the diminutive/slang suffix '-ie', created in the mid-20th century to describe fans who followed musical groups.
'groupie' developed in the 1960s from the combination of 'group' (from French 'groupe', via Italian 'gruppo') and the colloquial English suffix '-ie'; the base 'group' entered English earlier from French/Italian and referred to a band or collection, and was specialized in slang to mean a musical group.
Initially it referred specifically to young fans (often women) who followed rock bands on tour; over time the meaning broadened to include any ardent or obsessive follower of a celebrity and acquired pejorative and sometimes sexualized connotations.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an enthusiastic (often obsessive) fan, especially one who follows a musical group on tour and seeks personal contact with the performers; often used pejoratively.
She was accused of being a groupie after following the band from city to city.
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Noun 2
a person who is an ardent admirer of a celebrity or public figure and devotes time and attention to following them (not limited to music bands).
He collects photos of movie stars and is considered a groupie by some.
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Last updated: 2026/01/05 12:10