obsequious
7
9.3
- adjective
- /əbˈsiːkwiəs/
- Formal
:
obsequioso
- The assistant was overly obsequious, constantly praising his boss for even the smallest tasks.
That is the most obsequious thing a man could do.
- That is the most obsequious thing a man could do.
- His two most controversial picks are the two most obsequious loyalists that he can possibly get.
- I mean, it's funny you played that clip, the first one you played of the journalists and being obsequious when around her.
- When somebody is obsequious, they are, you know, sort of going along to get along.
- It's not like being meek and obsequious and giving in, you know, I think it's a whole other source of, of strength that can have us have us really fight.
- He did this to such an extent that some found him obsequious.
Examples
-
Sitting in the center of a sumptuous room full of gorgeous women and obsequious looking men is a radiant young man in white.
-
Obviously a tribute to the genre, True Confessions is not obsequious, imitative, or slobbering.
Blog text (25) -
That is the most obsequious thing a man could do.
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Now, you strike me as a rather obsequious guy, David.
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Why are you so obsequious?
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I can't believe you were so obsequious with that man.
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That Mr. Brooke, could he be any more obsequious?
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I think the most important thing is to be respectful to the judges but not obsequious.
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Instantly obsequious, Tully sets his heavy briefcase on his desk and shakes her hand.
Fiction book (1991) -
Unlike an obsequious courtier or personal assistant, the pundit maintains his dignity and gravitas.
Academic text (2002)
Synonyms
14
7.6
Too willing to obey and please people with power
4
9.2
Giving too much praise to an important person to gain favor
1
9.9
Too smooth and friendly in a fake, unpleasant way
1
9.1
Giving much praise that does not seem honest
1
7.4
Acting too eager to please and obey someone, often seeming weak
Being too friendly and praising someone important to get favor
Acting too friendly and praising people in power to get favors
Showing too much praise and attention to please someone
How Obsequious
3
7.4
- Formal
7
9.3
38
5.1
31
5.1
17
4.8
3
4.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
obsequious = ob + sequi + ous
Although historically analysable as ob- + sequi + -ous, the stem is not a productive English base and the modern meaning is not inferable by an average B1 learner.
Etymology
Obsequious comes from Latin parts ob- ('toward') and sequi ('to follow'), the same root you see in sequence or sequel. It originally meant 'following closely', so today an obsequious person seems to 'follow' someone with too much praise and obedience to win favor.