What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
servile
Example
He was criticized for his servile attitude towards his boss. [servile: adjective]
Example
She felt uncomfortable with the servile way he spoke to her. [servile: adjective]
subservient
Example
The new employee was subservient to his supervisor's every whim. [subservient: adjective]
Example
She found his subservient behavior towards her to be unsettling. [subservient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subservient is more commonly used than servile in everyday language. Subservient is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while servile is less common and considered more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between servile and subservient?
While both words can be used in formal contexts, servile is considered more formal and less commonly used in everyday language than subservient.
