adj
servile
SUR-vyl
Servile (adj) means Excessively willing to obey or please others; behaving like a slave. Example: “His servile flattery of the boss made his colleagues uncomfortable.”
adj
1
Excessively willing to obey or please others; behaving like a slave.
"His servile flattery of the boss made his colleagues uncomfortable."
"She refused to be servile toward customers who treated her badly."
How to use servile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishActing overly obedient or eager to please, almost like a slave would.
Common mistake
It is always negative — describing servile behavior is a criticism, not a compliment.
Common pairings
servile flattery
servile obedience
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Word forms
- Plural
- serviles
- Comparative
- more servile
- Superlative
- most servile
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ flattery of the boss made his colleagues uncomfortable.
Etymology
From Latin servilis, "of a slave," from servus ("slave").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for servile
See all rhymes for servile →Frequently asked questions
What does “servile” mean?
The word “servile” means excessively willing to obey or please others; behaving like a slave. In plain terms, acting overly obedient or eager to please, almost like a slave would.
How do you pronounce “servile”?
“Servile” is pronounced SUR-vyl (/ˈsəɹ.vəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “servile” in a sentence?
Here is “servile” used in a sentence: “His servile flattery of the boss made his colleagues uncomfortable.”
What is another word for “servile”?
Words with a similar meaning to “servile” include abject, duteous, meek, slavish, submissive and subservient.
What is the opposite of “servile”?
The opposite of “servile” — its antonyms — are arrogant, bossy and radical.
What part of speech is “servile”?
“Servile” is an adjective.
Where does the word “servile” come from?
The word “servile” comes from Latin. From Latin servilis, "of a slave," from servus ("slave").
