Obsequious
/əbˈsiːkwiəs/
adjectiveC2
Definition
Obsequious means showing too much willingness to serve or agree with someone, often to gain favor or advantage. It usually has a negative meaning, suggesting the person is not honest or natural but acts in a way that is too polite or flattering.
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See It in Action
Showing too much eagerness to please or obey
- •The obsequious assistant agreed with every idea the manager had.
- •She gave an obsequious smile that did not feel honest.
- •His obsequious behavior made others feel uncomfortable.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "obsequious" like "nice," but taken too far—like someone who agrees with everything and never says no, even if they do not mean it.
- ✓Picture a person who always follows a boss around, smiling too much and saying "yes" to every request.
- ✓It feels like when someone tries too hard to be liked, and it can seem uncomfortable or fake.
- ✓Sounds like "ob-SEE-kwee-us" → imagine a bee (sounds like "see") buzzing around someone, always following and never leaving.
- ✓In stories, obsequious characters are often the ones who flatter kings or bosses too much to get rewards.
- ✓NOT like "polite" (which is natural and respectful), obsequious is too much and can seem false.
- ✓NOT like "helpful" (which is honest and kind), obsequious is more about pleasing for personal gain.
- ✓NOT like "friendly" (which is warm and genuine), obsequious is more like acting in a way to get something.
Try Other Words
- •Servile: very eager to serve or obey (Use when the person acts like a servant, very submissive)
- •Fawning: showing too much affection or praise (Use when someone tries to get favor by praising too much)
- •Ingratiating: trying to make someone like you by flattering (Use when the behavior seems planned to gain favor)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "ob-" (toward) + "sequi" (to follow) + "-ous" (adjective suffix)
- •Etymology: From Latin "obsequiosus," meaning "dutiful, compliant, ready to follow"
- •Historical development: Originally meant obedient or compliant, but over time gained a negative sense of being too eager to please or flatter
- •Modern usage: Used to describe people who act overly eager to please in a way that seems false or annoying
Reflect & Connect
•Why do you think people sometimes act obsequious instead of honest? What situations cause this behavior?
•Can being obsequious ever be useful or positive, or is it always a bad thing?
Fill in the blanks
1.The employee was obsequious because he wanted to ___ a promotion from his boss.
2.When someone is obsequious, their behavior often feels ___ and not natural.
3.Unlike a polite person, an obsequious person agrees with everything and never ___.
4.In stories, obsequious characters often try to ___ powerful people by praising them too much.
5.People who are obsequious usually speak ___ to get what they want.
6.When the manager asked a question, the obsequious assistant quickly ___ an answer without thinking.
7.You can tell someone is obsequious if their compliments seem ___ and repeated too often.