Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [uh b-see-kwee-uh s]
- /əbˈsi kwi əs/
- /əbˈsiː.kwi.əs/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [uh b-see-kwee-uh s]
- /əbˈsi kwi əs/
Definitions of obsequious word
- adjective obsequious characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow. 1
- adjective obsequious servilely compliant or deferential: obsequious servants. 1
- adjective obsequious obedient; dutiful. 1
- noun obsequious Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree. 1
- adjective obsequious servile, ingratiating 1
- adjective obsequious If you describe someone as obsequious, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to help or agree with someone more important than them. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of obsequious
First appearance:
before 1375 One of the 22% oldest English words
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
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Obsequious
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
obsequious popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 88% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
obsequious usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for obsequious
adjective obsequious
- servile — slavishly submissive or obsequious; fawning: servile flatterers.
- sycophantic — a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite.
- flattering — to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
- toadying — an obsequious flatterer; sycophant.
- submissive — inclined or ready to submit or yield to the authority of another; unresistingly or humbly obedient: submissive servants.
Antonyms for obsequious
adjective obsequious
- assertive — Someone who is assertive states their needs and opinions clearly, so that people take notice.
- arrogant — Someone who is arrogant behaves in a proud, unpleasant way towards other people because they believe that they are more important than others.
- brazen — If you describe a person or their behaviour as brazen, you mean that they are very bold and do not care what other people think about them or their behaviour.
- confident — If you are confident about something, you are certain that it will happen in the way you want it to.
- presumptuous — full of, characterized by, or showing presumption or readiness to presume in conduct or thought, as by saying or doing something without right or permission.
Top questions with obsequious
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with o
- Words starting with ob
- Words starting with obs
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- Words starting with obseq
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- Words starting with obsequiou
- Words starting with obsequious