KOTOW

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does kotow mean? 

• KOTOW (noun)
  The noun KOTOW has 1 sense:

1. a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission

  Familiarity information: KOTOW used as a noun is very rare.

• KOTOW (verb)
  The verb KOTOW has 1 sense:

1. try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

  Familiarity information: KOTOW used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• KOTOW (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

kotow; kowtow

Hypernyms ("kotow" is a kind of...):

bow; bowing; obeisance (bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting)

Derivation:

kotow (try to gain favor by cringing or flattering)

• KOTOW (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

bootlick; fawn; kotow; kowtow; suck up; toady; truckle

Context example:

He is always kowtowing to his boss

Hypernyms (to "kotow" is one way to...):

blandish; flatter (praise somewhat dishonestly)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "kotow"):

court favor; court favour; curry favor; curry favour (seek favor by fawning or flattery)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

kotow (a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission)