obsequious

UK: /əbˈsiːkwiəs/ US: /əbˈsikwiəs/ ,(əb sē′kwē əs)

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

ob•se•qui•ous /əbˈsikwiəs/   adj. 

1. slavishly attentive;
   servile;
   fawning:
   The waiter gave an obsequious bow to the duchess.

See -seq-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ob•se•qui•ous  (əb sē′kwē əs), adj. 

1. characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference;
   fawning:
   an obsequious bow.
2. servilely compliant or deferential:
   obsequious servants.
3. obedient;
   dutiful.

• Latin obsequiōsus, equivalent. to obsequi(um) compliance (obsequ(ī) to comply with (ob- ob- + sequī to follow) + -ium -ium) + -ōsus -ous
• late Middle English 1375–1425

ob•se′qui•ous•ly, adv. 
ob•se′qui•ous•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. sycophantic, flattering.
• 2. cringing, submissive. See servile. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

obsequious / əbˈsiːkwɪəs/ adjective

1. obedient or attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner
2. submissive or compliant

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin obsequiōsus compliant, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to follow, from ob- to + sequi to follow

obˈsequiously adverb

obˈsequiousness noun