What do you call a student who always need to volunteer an answer to show off how smart they are?
I friend of mine, when teachers address questions to the whole class, always need to volunteer an answer to show off how smart they are.
Therefore, I'm looking for a term which define that my friend.
A bit of googling come up with 'suck', but Merriam-Webster doesn't have an entry which matches that description, being the best 'to act in an obsequious manner'.
So, what do you call a person like that student?
Solution 1:
Brown noser is a good overall term. You can use kiss-ass too. But in the US this specific example would be called a teacher's pet.
Solution 2:
Normally, the person would just be called a show off or a know it all. Neither have particularly good connotations; the first would definitely be derogatory in most settings.
Depending on the situation/person, insecure could also fit the bill.
Adjective
insecure (comparative more insecure, superlative most insecure)
- Not secure.
- Not comfortable or confident in oneself or in certain situations.
He's a nice guy and all, but seems to be rather insecure around other people.