Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [kou-tou, -tou, koh-]
- /ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ, ˈkoʊ-/
- /ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kou-tou, -tou, koh-]
- /ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ, ˈkoʊ-/
Definitions of kowtow word
- verb without object kowtow to act in an obsequious manner; show servile deference. 1
- verb without object kowtow to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., especially in former Chinese custom. 1
- noun kowtow the act of kowtowing. 1
- noun kowtow Act in an excessively subservient manner. 1
- intransitive verb kowtow be servile 1
- verb kowtow If you say that someone kowtows to someone else, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to obey or be polite to someone in authority. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of kowtow
First appearance:
before 1795 One of the 43% newest English words
First recorded in 1795-1805, kowtow is from the Chinese word kòutóu literally, knock (one's) head
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Kowtow
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
kowtow popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 74% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
kowtow usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for kowtow
verb kowtow
- pander — a person who furnishes clients for a prostitute or supplies persons for illicit sexual intercourse; procurer; pimp.
- genuflect — to bend the knee or touch one knee to the floor in reverence or worship.
- fawn — a young deer, especially an unweaned one.
- court — A court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate.
- flatter — to make flat.
noun kowtow
- genuflection — an act of bending the knee or touching it to the ground in reverence or worship.
- prostration — the act of prostrating.
- homage — respect or reverence paid or rendered: In his speech he paid homage to Washington and Jefferson.
- obeisance — a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy, or other similar gesture.
Antonyms for kowtow
verb kowtow
- ignore — to refrain from noticing or recognizing: to ignore insulting remarks.
- straighten — make straight
Top questions with kowtow
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