WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ob•se•qui•ous /əbˈsikwiəs/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- slavishly attentive;
servile;
fawning:The waiter gave an obsequious bow to the duchess.
ob•se•qui•ous
(əb sē′kwē əs),USA pronunciation adj.
ob•se′qui•ous•ly, adv.
ob•se′qui•ous•ness, n.
- characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference;
fawning:an obsequious bow. - servilely compliant or deferential:obsequious servants.
- 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•ness, n.
- 1. sycophantic, flattering. 2. cringing, submissive. See servile.
'obsequiously' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):