What does kowtow mean?
Kowtow is a noun and verb denoting an act of profound submission or servile deference. Its literal meaning refers to a traditional gesture in which a person bends down until the forehead touches the ground, a custom associated especially with formal ceremonies and hierarchical courts. In everyday figurative use, to kowtow to someone means to submit to their authority or satisfy their demands with excessive, often fawning obedience. A politician who kowtows to a powerful lobbyist, for example, is portrayed as yielding political independence for personal advantage. The expression often implies servility, inequality, and moral compromise rather than normal respect. Kowtow is useful to English speakers because it makes the distinction between courteous deference and submissive obsequiousness unmistakable, while its history preserves the vivid physical image of a person literally lowering the head in homage.
An act of showing servile deference or submission, especially toward a person or authority; historically, the formal gesture of bowing until the forehead touches the ground.
"His speech was dismissed as a kowtow to the party's leaders."
The figurative sense is now the dominant one and generally implies excessive submission.
To show servile or excessive deference to a person, authority, or demand; literally, to bow and touch the forehead to the ground.
"She would not kowtow to the negotiators, even when threatened with losing the contract."
Often used critically to describe compromise prompted by fear, pressure, or an imbalance of power.
The plural is used for separate acts of submission or deference.
"The diplomat's series of kowtows was widely condemned as a betrayal of national dignity."
Kowtow literally means “knock the head,” and figuratively describes bending over backward for someone in power.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does kowtow come from?
Kowtow entered English in the early nineteenth century from Chinese, commonly through the Cantonese form kau tau. The source phrase refers to knocking or touching the head on the ground and denotes a gesture of profound respect or submission. English initially preserved the literal ceremonial meaning and subsequently developed the figurative sense of behaving with servile deference.
Related word forms
How kowtow is actually used
Figurative use is common in modern English and generally carries a critical or disapproving connotation: kowtowing suggests servility rather than ordinary courtesy or respect. Literal use is chiefly historical, ceremonial, or literary.
Easily confused with kowtow
A koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, whereas a kowtow is an act of submission or profound respect.