Servile

//ˈsəɹ.vəl// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Common ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An element which forms no part of the original root.
  2. 2
    A slave; a menial.
Adjective
  1. 1
    Excessively eager to please; obsequious.

    "British “subjects” (not citizens, note) are just that: gleefully servile to the monarchy’s institutionalised inequality..."

  2. 2
    Slavish or submissive.

    "servile flattery    servile obedience"

  3. 3
    Slavish or submissive.; Of or pertaining to a slave.
  4. 4
    Not belonging to the original root.

    "a servile letter"

  5. 5
    Not sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceding vowel, like the e in tune.
Adjective
  1. 1
    submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior wordnet
  2. 2
    relating to or involving slaves or appropriate for slaves or servants wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
bootlickingobsequioussubservientabjectabjectabused

Example

More examples

"All the king's subjects, fearing his wrath, often acted quite servile."

Etymology

From Middle English servyle, from Old French servil, servile, from Latin servīlis, from servus (“slave”). By surface analysis, serve + -ile.

More for "servile"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.