complaisant

[ kuhm-pley-suhnt, -zuhnt, kom-pluh-zant ]

adjective

1. inclined or disposed to please; obliging; agreeable or gracious; compliant:

   the most complaisant child I've ever met.

complaisant

/ kəmˈpleɪzənt /

adjective

1. showing a desire to comply or oblige; polite

Derived Forms

• comˈplaisantly, adverb

Other Words From

• com·plaisant·ly adverb
• noncom·plaisant adjective
• noncom·plaisant·ly adverb
• uncom·plaisant adjective
• uncom·plaisant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of complaisant¹

1640–50; < French (present participle of complaire ) < Latin complacent- (stem of complacēns, present participle of complacēre; complacent )

Word History and Origins

Origin of complaisant¹

C17: from French complaire, from Latin complacēre to please greatly; compare complacent