servile

adjective

ser·​vile ˈsər-vəl How to pronounce servile (audio)
-ˌvī(-ə)l
1
: of or befitting a menial position
2
: meanly or cravenly submissive : abject
servilely
ˈsər-və(l)-lē How to pronounce servile (audio)
-ˌvī(-ə)l-lē
adverb
servileness
ˈsər-vəl-nəs How to pronounce servile (audio)
-ˌvī(-ə)l-
noun
servility noun

Did you know?

Latin served us servile with the help of servilis, itself from servus, the Latin word for "slave." Servus is also an ancestor of serve, service, and servitude. Synonyms of servile in English include subservient, slavish, and obsequious. Subservient implies the cringing manner of someone who is very conscious of having a subordinate position. Slavish suggests abject or debased servitude. Obsequious implies fawning or sycophantic compliance and exaggerated deference of manner. Servile suggests the fawning behavior of one in forced servitude.

Examples of servile in a Sentence

had always maintained a servile attitude around people with money
Recent Examples on the Web Some Hawaiian cultural experts say aloha is a complex and fluid idea, too often misconstrued as a sweet and servile way of tolerating visitors. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2023 Arriving at Egg Island sporting bohemian attire and a distinctly non-deferent attitude, Monk swiftly arouses the suspicions of Horton and his stuffy, servile housekeeper Mrs. McMurray (Kristine Nielsen). Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2023 The statue features a godlike Lincoln astride a kneeling, formerly enslaved man in a loincloth — his servile gratitude could not be more apparent. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023 Will Dagger, too, as a farmhand who feels too deeply for people who rarely acknowledge his presence, makes a memorable virtue of the character’s servile role. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 14 July 2023 Responding to her questionnaire, Cyril Connolly, the editor of Horizon magazine, pointed out that the aggressive aims of fascist states required a populace that was ‘rendered both warlike and servile’ – the ‘stultifying’, in other words, ‘of the human race’. Sarah Watling, Time, 13 July 2023 Famous for playing feckless, servile clowns in the 1930s, Fetchit took on the role of the white man’s fool onscreen, on the condition that he be officially credited, decently compensated and in control of the extras in his contract. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2023 Costume designer An D’Huys dresses both the flamboyant aristocrat and his servile sidekick Leporello in funeral suits. Vulture, 10 May 2023 In some ways small dogs can be thought of as cats with a more servile attitude; terriers originated as ratters. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2010

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'servile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French servil, borrowed from Latin servīlis "of a slave, slavish, abject," from servus "slave" + -īlis "pertaining to or characteristic of (such persons)" — more at serve entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of servile was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near servile

Cite this Entry

“Servile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/servile. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

servile

adjective
ser·​vile ˈsər-vəl How to pronounce servile (audio)
-ˌvīl
1
: of or appropriate to a slave
2
: lacking spirit or independence : submissive
servilely
-və(l)-lē How to pronounce servile (audio)
-ˌvīl-lē
adverb
servility noun

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