kowtow

[ kou-tou, -tou, koh- ]
See synonyms for: kowtowkowtowingkowtower on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference.

  2. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom.

noun
  1. the act of kowtowing.

Origin of kowtow

1
First recorded in 1795–1805, kowtow is from the Chinese word kòutóu, literally, “knock (one's) head”
  • Sometimes ko·tow [koh-tou, -tou] /ˈkoʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ/ .

Other words from kowtow

  • kowtower, noun

Words Nearby kowtow

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use kowtow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for kowtow

kowtow

/ (ˌkaʊˈtaʊ) /


verb(intr)
  1. to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom

  2. (often foll by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards)

noun
  1. the act of kowtowing

Origin of kowtow

1
C19: from Chinese k'o t'ou, from k'o to strike, knock + t'ou head

Derived forms of kowtow

  • kowtower, 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