obsequious

[ uhb-see-kwee-uhs ]

See synonyms for: obsequious obsequiously obsequiousness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

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 for obsequious

1	cringing, flattering, grovelling, kowtowing, obeisant, oleaginous, servile, subservient, sycophantic, sycophantish, toadying, toadyish
2	deferential, submissive

See synonyms for obsequious on Thesaurus.com

Other words from obsequious

ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverb
ob·se·qui·ous·ness, noun
o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous, adjective
o·ver·ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverb
un·ob·se·qui·ous, adjective
un·ob·se·qui·ous·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with obsequious

obsequies, obsequious

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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

Origin of obsequious

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

Derived forms of obsequious

obsequiously, adverb
obsequiousness, noun

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

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