servile

adjective

ser·vile ˈsər-vəl

-ˌvī(-ə)l

Synonyms of servile next

: of or befitting a menial position

: meanly or cravenly submissive : abject

servilely

ˈsər-və(l)-lē

-ˌvī(-ə)l-lē

adverb

servileness

ˈsər-vəl-nəs

-ˌvī(-ə)l-

noun

servility

(ˌ)sər-ˈvi-lə-tē

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.

Example Sentences

had always maintained a servile attitude around people with money

Recent Examples on the Web Since 1890, Aunt Jemima’s smiling face has been used to sell a sweet pancake topping — but also normalize the idea of The Mammy, a mythical representation of Black women as jolly, servile domestic workers, who cheerfully raise white children without complaint. —

Anne Cohen, refinery29.com, 19 June 2020 Indeed, with its shifting of the dom role from the alpha male to the mother, presented here as the ultimate service provider, ABDL erotica is a reminder that Amazon’s customer obsession is ultimately an investment in its own market power, a posture of servile domination. —

Mark Mcgurl, Harper's Magazine, 17 Aug. 2021 Since 1890, Aunt Jemima’s smiling face has been used to sell a sweet pancake topping — but also normalise the idea of The Mammy, a mythical representation of Black women as jolly, servile domestic workers, who cheerfully raise white children without complaint. —

Anne Cohen, refinery29.com, 21 June 2020 Instead, Biden has adopted a servile attitude toward the Taliban, never criticizing them, let alone as harshly as he’s rebuked the Afghan military. —

The Editors, National Review, 25 Aug. 2021 The language Shakespeare uses to describe the angry, servile Caliban alludes to slavery, which the directors have excised from their production. —

Peter Marks, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2023 Nicholas Hoult plays the servile title character, but it’s the Count himself, played by Nicolas Cage as the most horrible of all horrible bosses, who is sure to steal - or at least take a very big bite out of - the spotlight. —

Michael O'sullivan, Anchorage Daily News, 9 Feb. 2023 Nicholas Hoult plays the servile title character, but it’s the Count himself, played by Nicolas Cage as the most horrible of all horrible bosses, who is sure to steal — or at least take a very big bite out of — the spotlight. —

Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2023 The point is made: Pinocchio might have a hole where his heart should be, but is the unthinking servile person any less hollow? —

Michael Cavna, Washington Post, 8 Dec. 2022 See More

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

See more words from the same century