docility
Americannoun
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the fact or quality of being easily handled, managed, or led; meek and unquestioning obedience or compliance.
Their whole military system rewards docility and conformity and punishes dynamism and adherence to strong convictions.
In contrast to the productive but stubborn Brown Swiss breed, Helvetica cows are known for their docility.
-
willingness to learn or be taught or to accept direction; receptivity or openness.
May this Pentecost create a new docility to the Spirit, within each of us as individuals and within the corporate Body of the Church.
Etymology
Origin of docility
First recorded in 1550–60; docil(e) ( def. ) + -ity ( def. )
Vocabulary lists containing docility
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We have trained sloth and docility and are reaping what we have sown.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
Every expression is judged through a gaze that demands docility.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2025
But in between docility and pugnacity lies the pathway to effective debate moderation, and I thought Muir and Davis did a fine job walking that road on Tuesday night.
From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2024
Breeders also value posture, hoof solidity, docility, maternal ability and beauty.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 3, 2024
Ira accepted our choice with her usual docility; if she fretted at the thought of leaving us and her brothers she showed no sign.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
