kowtow

Meanings

Plural: kowtows

Noun

a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
The act of kowtowing.

Verb

bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
- "He is always kowtowing to his boss"
To kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.
To grovel, act in a very submissive manner.
To bow very deeply.

Origin / Etymology

From either Cantonese 叩頭 /叩头 (kau³ tau⁴) or Mandarin 叩頭 /叩头 (kòutóu). Literally, “knock head”.

Synonyms

bootlick, dogeza, fawn, genuflect, kotow, scrape, suck up, toady, truckle

Scrabble Score: 16

kowtow is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
kowtow is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
kowtow is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

kowtow is a valid Words With Friends word