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 obvious. [servile: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a servile tone, hoping to get a promotion. [servile: adjective]
groveling
Example
He was groveling at her feet, begging for forgiveness. [groveling: verb]
Example
The politician's groveling apology did little to appease his critics. [groveling: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Servile is a more commonly used word than groveling in everyday language. Servile is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while groveling is less common and often used in informal or colloquial contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between servile and groveling?
Servile is a more formal word than groveling, which is often used in informal or colloquial contexts. Therefore, servile is more appropriate to use in formal situations or writing.
