kowtow
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for kowtow, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To kneel and bow so low that the forehead touches the ground, as a sign of deep respect or submission.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use kowtow
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Cantonese 叩頭 (kau tau), literally "knock head" — referring to the forehead striking the ground.
Full origin of kowtow →Frequently asked questions
What does “kowtow” mean?
The word “kowtow” means to kneel and bow so low that the forehead touches the ground, as a sign of deep respect or submission. In plain terms, originally a deep ceremonial bow; today mostly used for grovelling or being overly submissive to someone in power.
How do you pronounce “kowtow”?
“Kowtow” is pronounced KOW-tow (/ˈkaʊˌtaʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “kowtow” in a sentence?
Here is “kowtow” used in a sentence: “Officials once had to kowtow before the emperor.”
What part of speech is “kowtow”?
Depending on how it is used, “kowtow” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “kowtow” come from?
The word “kowtow” comes from Cantonese. From Cantonese 叩頭 (kau tau), literally "knock head" — referring to the forehead striking the ground.
How many meanings does “kowtow” have?
“Kowtow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to kneel and bow so low that the forehead touches the ground, as a sign of deep respect or submission.