servile

adjective

ser·​vile ˈsər-vəl 

-ˌvī(-ə)l

1

: of or befitting a menial position

2

: 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.

Synonyms

• humble
• meek
• abject
• menial

Examples of servile in a Sentence

had always maintained a servile attitude around people with money

Recent Examples on the Web

Bahrain is ruled by Sunnis and has a mostly Shiite population permanently restless over its servile condition. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025

His servile defense secretary has threatened to deploy the military in other cities. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025

So Alex dons a uniform, buses tables and engages in servile labor for the first time in her life. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 23 Mar. 2025

Trump’s servile devotion to Putin becomes the new norm overnight as Republicans cower in support of Trump’s new Putin policy. —Bob Kustra, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for servile

• chervil
• nerval

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Kids Definition

servile

adjective

ser·​vile ˈsər-vəl 

-ˌvīl

1

: of or appropriate to a menial position

2

: lacking spirit or independence : submissive

servilely

-və(l)-lē 

-ˌvīl-lē

adverb

servility

(ˌ)sər-ˈvil-ət-ē 

noun