slavish

UK: /ˈsleɪvɪʃ/ US: /ˈsleɪvɪʃ/ ,(slā′vish)

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

slav•ish /ˈsleɪvɪʃ/   adj. 

1. of or like a slave:
   slavish subjection.
2. deliberately imitative:
   a slavish reproduction of the book in movie form.

slav•ish•ly, adv.: 

slavishly following the rules.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

slav•ish  (slā′vish), adj. 

1. of or befitting a slave:
   slavish subjection.
2. being or resembling a slave;
   abjectly submissive:
   He was slavish in his obedience.
3. base;
   mean;
   ignoble:
   slavish fears.
4. deliberately imitative;
   lacking originality:
   a slavish reproduction.

• slave + -ish¹ 1555–65

slav′ish•ly, adv. 
slav′ish•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. groveling, sycophantic, fawning, cringing. See servile. 

Antonyms

• 2. independent.
• 3. exalted.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

slavish / ˈsleɪvɪʃ/ adjective

1. of or befitting a slave
2. being or resembling a slave; servile
3. unoriginal; imitative

ˈslavishly adverb