What does grovel mean?
Grovel most often describes someone behaving with exaggerated humility in order to win favor, flatter, or avoid displeasing a more powerful person. Such behavior is generally viewed critically because it suggests servility, insincere praise, or willingness to sacrifice dignity for personal advantage. The phrase “grovel before someone” captures this modern sense especially well, while “grovel for mercy” can suggest a desperate appeal for leniency. Although this figurative meaning dominates today, grovel also has an older literal sense: to crawl, kneel, or lie prone on the ground, often as a sign of submission, homage, or fear. The word is consequently vivid but strongly negative when used figuratively. It is useful because it distinguishes genuine courtesy and respect from conduct that is excessively deferential and self-abasing.
To behave with excessive humility or submissiveness, especially by fawning over someone or seeking favor; formerly, to crawl or lie prone as an act of submission.
"The politicians competed to grovel before the newly elected leader."
The figurative use is derogatory and implies servility or insincere deference. The physical sense is now uncommon and often literary.
An act of crawling, abasing oneself, or making an excessively humble submission.
"His final grovel was an apology so abject that everyone in the room was uncomfortable."
The noun is rare compared with the verb and chiefly denotes an act or instance of submissive behavior.
The plural is grammatical but rarely used because the noun itself is uncommon.
"Her grovels and repeated apologies did not repair the damage."
From crawling on hands and knees to figuratively crawling before someone in fawning deference, grovel captures humility pushed to an extreme.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Related word forms
How grovel is actually used
The figurative use is usually critical: it implies abasement, excessive deference, and often moral or political fawning. The literal sense of crawling or kneeling is now less common and may sound literary or historical.
Easily confused with grovel
Grovel means to crawl or behave with excessive humility, whereas gravel consists of small stones.