obsequious
adjective
Obedient or attentive to an excessive degree; servilely compliant or deferential; fawning.
Etymology
From Latin obsequiosus meaning "compliant, obedient," from obsequium (compliance), from obsequi (to follow, comply with).
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The obsequious waiter hovered constantly, interrupting their conversation."
- 2.
"His obsequious behavior toward the boss irritated his colleagues."
- 3.
"The courtiers were obsequious in their flattery of the king."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
The word's root means "to follow" - an obsequious person follows too closely, like a shadow that won't go away. Shakespeare used it frequently to describe manipulative characters.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 10 letters (O, B, S, E, Q, U, I, O, U, S)
Scrabble Value: 21 points
Tip: The letter pattern in "OBSEQUIOUS" appears in many related words.
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