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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Othello
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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.
A top-ranked member — her friend Lauren Salzman — invited Edmondson to Albany, where she was inducted into “Dominus Obsequious Sororium,” a secretive women’s subgroup.
From New York Times • Sep. 17, 2019
According to criminal indictments and reports from former members, a sub-organization — a kind of cult-within-a-cult — was founded called Dominus Obsequious Sororium, or DOS, which roughly translates to “lord over the obedient female companions.”
From Salon • Jul. 18, 2018
Obsequious devotion to something that does not yet exist.
From The Verge • Aug. 5, 2015
Obsequious waiters serve tea and cookies for occasional visitors.
From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2012
Obsequious waiters appeared and soon the party was served with viands fit for a king.
From Two Little Women on a Holiday by Wells, Carolyn
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.
