What does servility mean?
Servility means behaving with excessive submissiveness, often by showing exaggerated respect or eagerness to please someone more powerful. The word is commonly used to criticize conduct that appears humble or deferential but is judged to lack dignity, confidence, or moral independence. It can describe the attitude of an individual, as in a person whose servility toward a superior is conspicuous, or a broader social pattern, such as the servility of a court or institution. “Deference” can sometimes overlap with this meaning, but it can also be legitimate and respectful, whereas servility generally carries a negative judgment. The term is especially associated with political, social, and workplace power relationships, where servility may imply obedience bought at the cost of integrity. Its ultimate Latin roots connect it with servitude and service.
nounServility is the behavior of being excessively humble, submissive, or eager to please those in authority. It can imply a lack of dignity or independence.
- Excessive submissiveness or eagerness to please, especially toward a person in authority.
"He disliked the servility of the staff toward the demanding manager."
"Her quiet confidence was mistaken for servility by those who expected deference."
"The novel criticizes the servility of colonial officials who surrendered their principles to wealth and power."
Plural is used for separate instances or kinds of submissive behavior.
"The memoir recounts the servilities that were expected of junior employees."
Servility comes from the same Latin root as servant and servile, linking its modern sense of fawning obedience to the ancient world of servitude.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does servility come from?
Servility comes from Latin servilitas, a noun formed from servilis, meaning “slavish” or “submissive.” These forms in turn derive from servus, the Latin word for a slave or servant. English borrowed the noun through French and Latin, with the sense gradually developing toward excessive submissiveness toward authority. Related English words include servile, servitude, servant, and servitus, all reflecting the same broader history of service and slavery.
Related word forms
How servility is actually used
Servility is generally formal and more strongly critical than “deference,” which can be neutral or respectful. It is often used to describe behavior toward authority and may suggest humiliation or moral compromise.