subservience

UK: /səbˈsɜː^rviəns/

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

sub•ser•vi•ent /səbˈsɜrviənt/   adj. 

1. too eager to give in to the wishes or power of another;
   servile:
   He is very subservient to his boss
2. secondary;
   subordinate:
   A good leader's policies must be subservient to the needs of the people.

sub•ser•vi•ence, n. [uncountable] See -serv-¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sub•ser•vi•ent  (səb sûr′vē ənt), adj. 

1. serving or acting in a subordinate capacity;
   subordinate.
2. servile;
   excessively submissive;
   obsequious:
   subservient persons; subservient conduct.
3. useful in promoting a purpose or end.

• Latin subservient- (stem of subserviēns, present participle of subservīre to subserve), equivalent. to sub- sub- + servi-, stem of servīre to serve + -ent -ent
• 1625–35

sub•ser′vi•ence, sub•ser′vi•en•cy, n. 
sub•ser′vi•ent•ly, adv.