verb
grovel
GRO-vuhl
Grovel (verb) means to lie or crawl face-down on the ground, often out of fear or submission. Example: “The dog grovelled at his owner's feet after being scolded.”
verb
1
To lie or crawl face-down on the ground, often out of fear or submission.
"The dog grovelled at his owner's feet after being scolded."
2
To act with exaggerated humility or flattery toward someone, especially to win their favor or forgiveness.
"He had to grovel to his boss after missing the deadline."
"She grovelled apologetically, hoping he'd forgive her."
How to use grovel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo act overly submissive or beg for forgiveness/favor, sometimes literally lying down.
Common mistake
Almost always used with a negative, cringing connotation — it implies excessive, undignified submission.
Common pairings
grovel for forgiveness
grovel before someone
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- grovels
- Past tense
- groveled, grovelled
Fill the gap
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He had to _____ to his boss after missing the deadline.
Etymology
From an Old Norse phrase meaning "on one's belly," which became the verb grufla ("to grovel"), eventually reshaped in English as grovel.
Related words
Rhymes for grovel
See all rhymes for grovel →Frequently asked questions
What does “grovel” mean?
The word “grovel” means to lie or crawl face-down on the ground, often out of fear or submission. In plain terms, to act overly submissive or beg for forgiveness/favor, sometimes literally lying down.
How do you pronounce “grovel”?
“Grovel” is pronounced GRO-vuhl (/ˈɡrɒvəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “grovel” in a sentence?
Here is “grovel” used in a sentence: “The dog grovelled at his owner's feet after being scolded.”
What part of speech is “grovel”?
“Grovel” is a verb.
Where does the word “grovel” come from?
The word “grovel” comes from Old Norse. From an Old Norse phrase meaning "on one's belly," which became the verb grufla ("to grovel"), eventually reshaped in English as grovel.
How many meanings does “grovel” have?
“Grovel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to lie or crawl face-down on the ground, often out of fear or submission.
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