Genuflecting: meaning, definitions and examples

Genuflecting is often used in religious contexts where someone kneels down, especially on one knee, to show deep respect or worship. It is common in Christian churches, especially during prayers or when facing the altar.

• He was genuflecting before entering the pew during the church service.
• The congregation was seen genuflecting during the solemn ceremony.

Bow is used in many cultures as a gesture of greeting, respect, or gratitude. It involves bending at the waist and is seen in both formal and informal settings. Common in Asian cultures, it is also seen in performances and royal protocols.

• She made a slight bow to the audience after her performance.
• In Japan, it is customary to bow when greeting someone.

Kneel is used in contexts that involve praying, proposing, or showing submission. It implies getting down on both knees. It is commonly seen in religious ceremonies, during marriage proposals, or when pleading for mercy.

• The knight was asked to kneel before the king to receive his knighthood.
• He decided to kneel and pray at the altar.

Prostrate is used to describe lying flat on the ground face down, often in situations of extreme humility, worship, or surrender. This term is strong and conveys complete submission, sometimes with a negative connotation of desperation or defeat.

• The worshippers were prostrate before the sacred relics.
• He was found prostrate on the ground, exhausted and defeated.