obsequious

[ uhb-see-kwee-uhs ]
/ əbˈsi kwi əs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR obsequious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow.
servilely compliant or deferential: obsequious servants.
obedient; dutiful.

Origin of obsequious

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin obsequiōsus, equivalent to obsequi(um) compliance ( obsequ(ī) to comply with ( ob- ob- + sequī to follow) + -ium -ium) + -ōsus -ous

SYNONYMS FOR obsequious

1 sycophantic, flattering.
2 cringing, submissive. See servile.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR obsequious ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM obsequious

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH obsequious

obsequies obsequious

Words nearby obsequious

obsecrate, obsequence, obsequent, obsequent stream, obsequies, obsequious, obsequy, observable, observance, observant, observation

Words related to obsequious

abject, beggarly, complacent, compliant, cringing, deferential, fawning, flattering, ingratiating, menial, obeisant, oily, prostrate, respectful, servile, slavish, spineless, subject, submissive, subordinate

Example sentences from the Web for obsequious

British Dictionary definitions for obsequious

obsequious
/ (əbˈsiːkwɪəs) /

adjective

obedient or attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner
rare submissive or compliant

Derived forms of obsequious

obsequiously, adverb obsequiousness, noun

Word Origin for obsequious

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