obsequious

[ uhb-see-kwee-uhs ]

/ əbˈsi kwi əs /

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See synonyms for: obsequious / obsequiously / obsequiousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

characterized by or showing servile obedience and excessive eagerness to please; fawning; deferential: an obsequious bow;obsequious servants.

obedient; dutiful.

OTHER WORDS FOR obsequious

1 sycophantic, flattering; cringing, submissive.

See synonyms for obsequious on Thesaurus.com

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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

synonym study for obsequious

1. See servile.

OTHER WORDS FROM obsequious

ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverbob·se·qui·ous·ness, nouno·ver·ob·se·qui·ous, adjectiveo·ver·ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverb

o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous·ness, nounun·ob·se·qui·ous, adjectiveun·ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverbun·ob·se·qui·ous·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH obsequious

obsequies, obsequious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use obsequious in a sentence

I would then slip the old fellow a bit of silver, as I was bidden, and he would obsequiously depart.
The Cruise of the Shining Light|Norman Duncan
Tomlinson was assisted out of the office by the deputy sheriff, the doctor opening the doors obsequiously ahead of them.
Motor Matt's Mystery|Stanley R. Matthews
Several of her menials simultaneously appeared out of invisibility, and one of them hurried obsequiously towards him.
The Regent|E. Arnold Bennett
The house was frequented by all the friends of the host, who were obsequiously effusive in smiles, flattery, and genuflections.
The Fourth Estate, vol. 2|Armando Palacio Valds

His hat was in his hand, and his body was obsequiously bent, but there was no discomposure in his lifeless voice and manner.
Audrey|Mary Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for obsequious

obsequious

/ (əbˈsiːkwɪəs) /

adjective

obedient or attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner

rare submissive or compliant

Derived forms of obsequious

obsequiously, adverbobsequiousness, noun

Word Origin for obsequious

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

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

obsequious

OTHER WORDS FOR obsequious

Origin of obsequious

synonym study for obsequious

OTHER WORDS FROM obsequious

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH obsequious

Words related to obsequious

How to use obsequious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obsequious

Derived forms of obsequious

Word Origin for obsequious