Grovelling: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ™
Add to dictionary

grovelling

 

[ หˆษกrษ’vษ™lษชล‹ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

apology behavior

Grovelling refers to the act of showing excessive humility or employing extreme behavior to seek forgiveness or make amends. It often involves flattering or submitting oneself in a manner that may seem insincere. The term is commonly associated with attempts to regain favor, especially after having offended someone. People may grovel when trying to repair relationships or when facing authority figures. In some cases, it can be perceived as demeaning or dishonorable, as it reflects a loss of dignity.

Synonyms

cringe, entreat, fawn, humble oneself, kowtow

Examples of usage

  • He was grovelling for her forgiveness after the argument.
  • The employee found himself grovelling for his boss's approval.
  • She started grovelling, hoping to mend the broken friendship.

Translations

Translations of the word "grovelling" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น humilhante

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฎเฅเคฐเคคเคพ เคธเฅ‡ เคเฅเค•เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช kriechen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ merendahkan diri

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะบั–ั€ะปะธะฒั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ uniลผenie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใฒใ‚Œไผใ™ใ“ใจ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท se prosterner

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ humillarse

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yalakalฤฑk yapmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋น„๊ตดํ•จ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุชุฐู„ู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ plazit se

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ plaziลฅ sa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ‘่บฌๅฑˆ่†

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ pohlevati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fรณtum

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถาฏะณั–ั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒ”แƒ แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yerdษ™ sรผrรผnmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ humillarse

Etymology

The word 'grovelling' originates from the early 16th century, derived from the verb 'grovel', which itself traces back to the Old English term 'grufian', meaning to 'crawl or creep'. The modern sense of the word indicates a form of submission or seeking of favor, emphasizing a lowly or abject position. As language evolved through the centuries, 'grovelling' became associated with acts that exhibit desperation or extreme emotional appeal, particularly in social or hierarchical contexts. The notion of grovelling often evokes images of one person lowering themselves to another, reflecting themes of power dynamics and personal humiliation, hence the negative connotation that often accompanies the term.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,135 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.