What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
servient
Example
The servient estate must allow access to the dominant estate for maintenance purposes. [servient: adjective]
Example
The servient tenement is responsible for maintaining the shared driveway. [servient: noun]
subservient
Example
The subservient employee always agrees with the boss, even if he disagrees. [subservient: adjective]
Example
She felt uncomfortable with his subservient behavior towards her. [subservient: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subservient is more commonly used than servient in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications and a more negative connotation. Servient is more specialized and is primarily used in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between servient and subservient?
Servient is a more formal word than subservient, as it is primarily used in legal contexts and has a more neutral connotation.
