obsequious

Advancedzipf 2.14

Pronunciation

/əbˈsiːkwiəs/(ob-SEE-kwee-us)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

谄媚的；奴颜婢膝的

Definition

Excessively eager to please or obey someone in a servile way.

Word family

  • obsequiously/əbˈsiːkwiəsli/(adv)谄媚地
  • obsequiousness/əbˈsiːkwiəsnəs/(n)

Collocations

  • obsequious behavior
  • obsequious manner
  • obsequious servant
  • obsequious smile

Examples

  1. 1.The obsequious waiter hovered around the VIP table all evening. (excessively servile)
  2. 2.His obsequious flattery of the boss was transparent and embarrassing. (groveling)

Synonyms

  • servile/ˈsɜːvaɪl/— slave-like submission
  • sycophantic/ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk/— flattering for advantage
  • fawning/ˈfɔːnɪŋ/— showing excessive affection

Etymology

from Latin "obsequiosus" = compliant — ob- (toward) + sequi (to follow) — following too closely, like a shadow