ser·vil·i·ty
(ˌ)sərˈvilətē 
səˈv-,
sə̄ˈv-,
səiˈv-,
-lətē,
-i
plural -es
1
: a slave's condition : the state of slavery : servitude
2
a
: a mean or cringing submissiveness : obsequiousness
his political advisers flattered him with grotesque servility—
Times Literary Supplement
Times Literary Supplement
b
: lack of independence or spirit : undue dependence or deference
3
: slavish imitation in following a model : want of originality, inspiration, or invention
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
Adjective
had always maintained a servile attitude around people with money
Recent Examples on the Web
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Julia was the first weekly TV series that starred a Black woman in a role that wasn't servile.
—Starr Rocque, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
After all, the deal — for a long-forsaken project, an action-comedy franchise starring two aging stars — underscores the servile fealty of new Paramount owners Larry and David Ellison amid their recent maneuvering to take control of TikTok and Warner Bros. Discovery (the latter seemingly futile).
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 6 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, my colleague and bud Kelefa Sanneh suggested that music critics, as a lot, have gone soft—becoming submissive, overly agreeable, and, in some cases, nearly servile.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for servile
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Adjective
That this man’s-man tough guy becomes utterly servile in the presence of a bunch of slack-casual bazillionaires is the cherry on top of the fascist sundae.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Julia was the first weekly TV series that starred a Black woman in a role that wasn't servile.
—Starr Rocque, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
After all, the deal — for a long-forsaken project, an action-comedy franchise starring two aging stars — underscores the servile fealty of new Paramount owners Larry and David Ellison amid their recent maneuvering to take control of TikTok and Warner Bros. Discovery (the latter seemingly futile).
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 6 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, my colleague and bud Kelefa Sanneh suggested that music critics, as a lot, have gone soft—becoming submissive, overly agreeable, and, in some cases, nearly servile.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for servile
Cite this Entry
“Servile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/servile. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
servile
adjective
ser·vile
ˈsər-vəl
-ˌvīl
1
: of or appropriate to a menial position
2
: lacking spirit or independence : submissive
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