kowtow

1 of 2

verb

kow·tow ˈkau̇-ˌtau̇ How to pronounce kowtow (audio)

(ˌ)kau̇-ˈtau̇

kowtowed; kowtowing; kowtows

intransitive verb

: to show obsequious deference : fawn

kowtows to the boss

: to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect

kowtow

2 of 2

noun

: an act of kowtowing

Did you know?

Kowtow originated as a noun referring to the act of kneeling and touching one's head to the ground as a salute or act of worship to a revered authority. In traditional China this ritual was performed by commoners making requests to the local magistrate, by the emperor to the shrine of Confucius, or by foreign representatives appearing before the emperor to establish trade relations. (In the late 18th century, some Western nations resisted performing the ritual, which acknowledged the Chinese emperor as the "son of heaven.") The word kowtow derives from Chinese koutou, formed by combining the verb kou ("to knock") with the noun tou ("head").

Example Sentences

Verb you can try kowtowing to the boss, but he'll see right through you

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Biden constantly argues that the world is at an inflection point between democracy and autocracy, and his trip to Saudi Arabia shows that democracies may feel forced to kowtow to autocratic nations when economic and security interests are at stake.

Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 July 2022 His refusal to kowtow to the traditions of Congress was writ large.

Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 12 July 2022 Trump, unencumbered by the need to kowtow to the Iranians, killed a few hundred Russian mercenaries in Syria.

David Harsanyi, National Review, 22 Feb. 2022 But India remains the world’s second most populous nation and one of the few in Asia unwilling to kowtow to Chinese might.

Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2022 Changing the way waiting ships are counted while continuing to kowtow to organized labor will not ease port congestion.

Dominic Pino, National Review, 2 Dec. 2021 Like Koreans or Vietnamese, Japanese delegations were expected to visit Chinese imperial capitals to kowtow to the emperor.

Ian Buruma, Harper’s Magazine , 18 Jan. 2022 Emulating pre-Communist practices, younger doctors would kowtow three times before their elders to become disciples and learn directly from them.

Ian Johnson, The New York Review of Books, 20 Oct. 2021 And she was indeed defined by a steely independent streak that did not kowtow to outsiders, whether established civil rights figures or the leader of the free world.

BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2021

Noun

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said leaders from Sweden and Finland should not expect its support for NATO membership until Western nations kowtow to its demands.

Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 18 May 2022 See More

单词	kowtows
释义	kowtow 1 of 2 verb kow·tow ˈkau̇-ˌtau̇ (ˌ)kau̇-ˈtau̇ kowtowed; kowtowing; kowtows intransitive verb 1 : to show obsequious deference : fawn kowtows to the boss 2 : to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect kowtow 2 of 2 noun : an act of kowtowing Did you know? Kowtow originated as a noun referring to the act of kneeling and touching one's head to the ground as a salute or act of worship to a revered authority. In traditional China this ritual was performed by commoners making requests to the local magistrate, by the emperor to the shrine of Confucius, or by foreign representatives appearing before the emperor to establish trade relations. (In the late 18th century, some Western nations resisted performing the ritual, which acknowledged the Chinese emperor as the "son of heaven.") The word kowtow derives from Chinese koutou, formed by combining the verb kou ("to knock") with the noun tou ("head"). Synonyms Verb apple-polish bootlick fawn fuss suck (up) toady truckle See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Verb you can try kowtowing to the boss, but he'll see right through you Recent Examples on the Web Verb Biden constantly argues that the world is at an inflection point between democracy and autocracy, and his trip to Saudi Arabia shows that democracies may feel forced to kowtow to autocratic nations when economic and security interests are at stake. Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 July 2022 His refusal to kowtow to the traditions of Congress was writ large. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 12 July 2022 Trump, unencumbered by the need to kowtow to the Iranians, killed a few hundred Russian mercenaries in Syria. David Harsanyi, National Review, 22 Feb. 2022 But India remains the world’s second most populous nation and one of the few in Asia unwilling to kowtow to Chinese might. Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 3 Mar. 2022 Changing the way waiting ships are counted while continuing to kowtow to organized labor will not ease port congestion. Dominic Pino, National Review, 2 Dec. 2021 Like Koreans or Vietnamese, Japanese delegations were expected to visit Chinese imperial capitals to kowtow to the emperor. Ian Buruma, Harper’s Magazine , 18 Jan. 2022 Emulating pre-Communist practices, younger doctors would kowtow three times before their elders to become disciples and learn directly from them. Ian Johnson, The New York Review of Books, 20 Oct. 2021 And she was indeed defined by a steely independent streak that did not kowtow to outsiders, whether established civil rights figures or the leader of the free world. BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2021 Noun Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said leaders from Sweden and Finland should not expect its support for NATO membership until Western nations kowtow to its demands. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 18 May 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun and Verb Chinese (Beijing) kòutóu, from kòu to knock + tóu head First Known Use Verb 1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun 1804, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition kowtow verb kow·tow kau̇-ˈtau̇, ˈkau̇-ˌtau̇ kowtowed; kowtowing : to obey a person in a position of power in a way that seems weak : show overly respectful attention "And don't expect me to kowtow to you, mortal, just because old Barnacle-Beard is your father." Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief kowtows verb present tense third-person singular of kowtow as in fusses to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior you can try kowtowing to the boss, but he'll see right through you Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance fusses toadies drools submits defers bootlicks truckles fawns curries favor courts ingratiates woos idolizes kisses up to gushes worships cajoles cowers slobbers endears slavers apple-polishes grovels coaxes cringes adulates sucks (up) flatters demeans debases abases overpraises yields blandishes soft-soaps Antonyms & Near Antonyms despises scorns disdains scoffs defies jeers challenges jibes braves gibes See More
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kowtow

verb

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

verb

verb