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

Derived Forms

• obˈsequiousness, noun
• obˈsequiously, adverb

Other Words From

• 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

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

Chabria: It was, as you put it, like watching a Friars roast — just one obsequious testimonial after another.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Russian political elite have grown more pliant in implementing Putin’s orders and more obsequious to his paranoid worldview,” he wrote.

From Seattle Times

You need someone who has a large ego but will be obsequious.

From Los Angeles Times

The humor laced through her lickspittles' obsequious efforts to placate her doesn’t quite dare you to laugh but isn’t going out of its way to encourage giggles either.

From Salon

I had a little go with Pi.ai myself, and I found it to be a bit obsequious, like a friend who just agrees with everything you say.

From BBC