What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
servile
Example
The new employee's servile attitude towards the boss was quite noticeable. [servile: adjective]
Example
She found his servility to be quite off-putting and unattractive. [servility: noun]
docile
Example
The puppy was very docile and quickly learned how to sit and stay. [docile: adjective]
Example
The students were surprisingly docile during the lecture, paying close attention to the professor's words. [docile: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Docile is more commonly used than servile in everyday language. Docile has a positive connotation and is often used to describe animals or children who are easy to handle or teach. On the other hand, servile has a negative connotation and is less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between servile and docile?
Both servile and docile are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, servile is typically associated with a negative connotation and is less versatile than docile, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
