DEFINITIONS

kowtow

[ kou-tou, -tou, koh- ]
/ ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ, ˈkoʊ- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR kowtow ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.
to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom.

noun

the act of kowtowing.

Content related to kowtow

Which Words Did English Take From Other Languages?English—is one of the most incredible, flavorfully-complex melting pots of linguistic ingredients from other countries. These linguistic ingredients are called loanwords that have been borrowed and incorporated into English. The loanwords are oftentimes so common now, the foreign flavor has been completely lost.
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Words related to kowtow

pander, genuflect, fawn, court, flatter, bow, stoop, fold, cower, prostrate, cringe, kneel

Words nearby kowtow

kowaiti, koweit, kowhai, kowhaiwhai, kowloon, kowtow, koyukon, kozani, kozhikode, kozlov, košice
Also kotow.

Origin of kowtow

First recorded in 1795–1805, kowtow is from the Chinese word kòutóu literally, knock (one's) head

OTHER WORDS FROM kowtow

kow·tow·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for kowtow

British Dictionary definitions for kowtow

kowtow
/ (ˌkaʊˈtaʊ) /

verb (intr)

to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom
(often foll by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards)

noun

the act of kowtowing

Derived forms of kowtow

kowtower, noun

Word Origin for kowtow

C19: from Chinese k'o t'ou, from k'o to strike, knock + t'ou head
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012