grovel

American  

[gruhv-uhl, grov-] / ˈgrʌv əl, ˈgrɒv- /

verb (used without object)

groveled, groveling, grovelled, grovelling

1. to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in great fear or utter servility.

   Synonyms:

   pander, kowtow, fawn, toady, truckle

2. to lie or crawl with the face downward and the body prostrate, especially in abject humility, fear, etc.

3. to take pleasure in mean or base things.

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grovel British  

/ ˈɡrɒvəl /

verb

1. to humble or abase oneself, as in making apologies or showing respect

2. to lie or crawl face downwards, as in fear or humility

3. (often foll by in) to indulge or take pleasure (in sensuality or vice)

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Other Word Forms

• groveler
  noun
• grovelingly
  adverb
• groveller
  noun
• grovelling
  noun
• grovellingly
  adverb
• ungroveling
  adjective
• ungrovelling
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of grovel

1585–95; back formation from obsolete groveling (adv.), equivalent to obsolete grufe face down (< Old Norse ā grūfu face down) + -ling ², taken to be present participle

Explanation

To grovel is to beg like a hungry dog. You don't have to be a canine though; you might grovel for a better grade (please don't). If you grovel you risk getting the opposite of what you want, because people (like teachers) don't like people down at their feet begging for something. But if you cheat on your date, you may have to grovel to get him or her back. Grovel also means to crawl around on your belly — you could grovel on gravel, but that might really hurt. The word comes from the Vikings; in Old Norse the word grufe means "prone" (lying flat) which is probably how Vikings liked to see the people they were conquering. You grovel when you want something but also when you're afraid.

Example Sentences

While C�sar's chambers, and the Augustan halls, Grovel on earth in indistinct decay.

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.

Grovel on the earth! ay, hide In the dust thy purple pride!'

From Adonais by Shelley, Percy Bysshe

Grovel, grov′el, v.i. to crawl on the earth, esp. in abject fear, &c.: to be base or mean:—pr.p. grov′elling; pa.p. grov′elled.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Grovel not in things below, among earthly cares, pleasures, anxieties, toils, if thou wouldst have a good strong hope on high.

From Daily Strength for Daily Needs by Tileston, Mary W.

Related Words

• beseech
• fawn