kowtow

UK: /ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/

US: /ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ/

US: (kou′tou′, -tou′, kō′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

kow•tow /ˈkaʊˈtaʊ, -ˌtaʊ/   v. 

1. to act in a subservient way:
   [~ + to + object] kowtowing to one's superiors.
2. [no object] to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, respect, etc., esp. in former Chinese custom.

kow•tow•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

kow•tow  (kou′tou′, -tou′, kō′-), v.i. 

1. to act in an obsequious manner;
   show servile deference.
2. to touch the forehead to the ground while kneeling, as an act of worship, reverence, apology, etc., esp. in former Chinese custom.

n. 

3. the act of kowtowing.

Also, kotow. 

• Chinese kòutóu literally, knock (one's) head
• 1795–1805

kow′tow′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

kowtow / ˌkaʊˈtaʊ/ verb (intransitive)

1. to touch the forehead to the ground as a sign of deference: a former Chinese custom
2. (often followed by to) to be servile or obsequious (towards)

noun

1. the act of kowtowing

Etymology: 19th Century: from Chinese k'o t'ou, from k'o to strike, knock + t'ou head