obsequious

[ uhb-see-kwee-uhs ]

adjective

1. characterized by or showing servile obedience and excessive eagerness to please; fawning; ingratiating:

   an obsequious bow;

   obsequious servants.

   Synonyms: flattering, submissive, deferential, subservient, servile, oleaginous

2. obedient; dutiful.

obsequious

/ əbˈsiːkwɪəs /

adjective

1. obedient or attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner
2. rare.
   submissive or compliant

Derived Forms

• obˈsequiousness, noun
• obˈsequiously, adverb

Other Words From

• ob·se·qui·ous·ly adverb
• ob·se·qui·ous·ness noun
• o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous adjective
• o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous·ly adverb
• un·ob·se·qui·ous adjective
• un·ob·se·qui·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsequious¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin obsequiōsus, equivalent to obsequi(um) “compliance,” derivative of obsequ(ī) “to comply with” (equivalent to ob- + sequī “to follow”) + -ium + -ōsus; ob-, -ium, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsequious¹

C15: from Latin obsequiōsus compliant, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to follow, from ob- to + sequi to follow

Synonym Study

See servile.

Example Sentences

Still, for the last year the media has been treating the Abe regime with obsequious deference.

From The Daily Beast

All week, the nation has been gripped by a classic tale—a powerful yet married man meets a younger, hot, obsequious woman.

From The Daily Beast

As the new-comers arrived, they met a smiling host, an attentive and ready bar-tender, and obsequious waiters and servants.

From Project Gutenberg

He little thought what a formidable enemy he was then fostering at the court of his obsequious brother sovereign.

From Project Gutenberg

Selim was most obsequious, and seemed ready to do everything for my comfort.

From Project Gutenberg

The bland, obsequious, well-informed Ramsay became a great favourite.

From Project Gutenberg

No man in the world understood Mr. Belcher better than the quick-witted and obsequious factor.

From Project Gutenberg