grovel
Americanverb (used without object)
verb
-
to humble or abase oneself, as in making apologies or showing respect
-
to lie or crawl face downwards, as in fear or humility
-
(often foll by in) to indulge or take pleasure (in sensuality or vice)
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing grovel
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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.
Absolutely, but Colin is eager to please and genuinely loves to grovel.
From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2025
On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul made Suozzi drive to Albany to all but grovel for her support.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2023
You have to grovel for it to run for office, and you don't get paid much of it if you're a member of the press.
From Salon • Nov. 10, 2022
Elrond isn’t the only elf who has to grovel among the rabble in this episode.
From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2022
She would be abject, she would cling and grovel.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
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.
