What does grovelling mean?
Grovelling describes conduct that is excessively humble, submissive, or eager to please those in power. Its modern connotation is usually derogatory: a grovelling apology or display of gratitude suggests servility rather than sincere courtesy. The word can also retain a more literal or literary sense of crawling, lying prone, or prostrating oneself before another person. Historically, it developed from the physical posture of lying on the ground in submission, but its figurative use soon came to dominate. This makes grovelling especially effective for describing humility that has become excessive or undeserving. It is chiefly associated with British usage with two l's, although Americans generally spell the form groveling with one l. Because the term carries a strong negative judgment, writers usually use it when criticizing sycophancy, abasement, or humiliating behavior.
Excessively humble or submissive; fawning. It may also describe someone crawling or lying prone in a posture of submission.
"The politician's grovelling praise of the minister was widely mocked."
The figurative sense is strongly derogatory and commonly implies servility or insincere ingratiation.
To crawl or lie prone in a posture of submission or deference.
"Witnesses saw him grovelling at the governor's feet."
This physical sense is less common than the figurative sense of behaving with extreme humility or seeking favor.
Grovelling began as a picture of lying flat on the ground; today it is the perfect word for humility that has curdled into submission.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does grovelling come from?
Grovelling comes from Middle English grovel, borrowed from Old French grosler, meaning “to lie on the ground or crawl,” and ultimately from the Medieval Latin grovellare. Its original sense was physical prostration; by the early modern period, it had developed a figurative sense of behaving with abject humility or seeking favor, which remains its dominant modern meaning.
Related word forms
How grovelling is actually used
In modern English, grovelling is strongly derogatory when describing an apology, expression of gratitude, or act of submission. The physical sense of crawling or prostrating oneself is less common and is often literary or historical. British spelling has two l's, while US spelling usually has one.
Easily confused with grovelling
In US spelling the word is usually written groveling, with one l, whereas grovelling with two l's is the standard British form.