obsequious

[uhb-see-kwee-uhs]

adjective

1. 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

2. obedient; dutiful.

obsequious

/ əbˈsiːkwɪəs /

adjective

1. obedient or attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner

2. rare,  submissive or compliant

Other Word Forms

• obsequiously adverb
• obsequiousness noun
• overobsequious adjective
• overobsequiously adverb
• unobsequious adjective
• unobsequiously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsequious¹

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; ob-, -ium, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of obsequious¹

C15: from Latin obsequiōsus compliant, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to follow, from ob- to + sequi to follow

Synonym Study

See servile.

Example Sentences

Vance was never the first choice for even that obsequious role.

From Salon

Some Swiss politicians are already arguing that Switzerland's negotiating tactics were not up to scratch – but some say too tough, others say too obsequious.

From BBC

Last month's Nato summit in The Hague was an exercise in obsequious courtship.

From BBC

That may afford instant gratification, but it only strengthens an obsequious subservience to Trump.

From Salon

Entwined on these YouTube channels are narratives of the opposition Democratic Party being obsequious to Beijing and trying to curry favour with Pyongyang.

From BBC