obsequious
Americanadjective
-
characterized by or showing servile obedience and excessive eagerness to please; fawning; ingratiating.
an obsequious bow;
obsequious servants.
- Synonyms:
- submissive, deferential, subservient, servile, oleaginous, flattering
adjective
-
obedient or attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner
-
rare submissive or compliant
Synonym Usage
See servile.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of obsequious
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; see ob-, -ium, -ous
Explanation
If you disapprove of the overly submissive way someone is acting — like the teacher's pet or a celebrity's assistant — call them by the formal adjective obsequious. There are many words in the English language for a person or an action that is overly obedient and submissive. Obsequious people are usually not being genuine; they resort to flattery and other fawning ways to stay in the good graces of authority figures. An obsequious person can be called a bootlicker, a brownnoser or a toady. You can also say that someone gives an obsequious bow, a gesture that means, "your wish is my command."
Vocabulary lists containing obsequious
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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.
The result for Infantino has been an obsequious presence around American officials while navigating thorny questions of U.S. foreign policy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026
It’s going to be this obsequious, bootlicking celebration of Alito’s brilliance.
From Slate ● Feb. 13, 2026
Last month's Nato summit in The Hague was an exercise in obsequious courtship.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2025
Chabria: It was, as you put it, like watching a Friars roast — just one obsequious testimonial after another.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2024
No car has ever had such obsequious treatment as did Rocinante as we moved slowly on.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
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.
