Groveling

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈɡrʌvəlɪŋ/

Definitions of groveling

verb to behave in a servile or obsequious manner

Example Sentences

A1 The dog was groveling at his owner's feet for a treat.

A2 She was groveling to her boss for a promotion.

B1 The politician was caught groveling to the wealthy donors for campaign funds.

B2 The celebrity was seen groveling to the paparazzi for forgiveness after a scandal.

C1 The employee was tired of groveling to the demanding clients for approval.

C2 The dictator was known for making his citizens grovel before him in fear.

adjective showing excessive humility or submissiveness

Example Sentences

A1 She felt uncomfortable groveling for forgiveness.

A2 The groveling employee begged for another chance.

B1 His groveling apology seemed insincere.

B2 The politician's groveling attempt to win back voters was met with skepticism.

C1 The CEO's groveling to investors did little to restore confidence in the company.

C2 Despite his groveling, she refused to forgive him for his betrayal.

Examples of groveling in a Sentence

formal The servant was groveling at the feet of the king, begging for forgiveness.

informal Stop groveling and stand up for yourself.

slang I can't believe he's groveling for her attention like that.

figurative She felt like she was groveling for scraps of affection in their relationship.

Grammatical Forms of groveling

past tense

groveled

plural

grovelers

comparative

more groveling

superlative

most groveling

present tense

grovel

future tense

will grovel

perfect tense

have groveled

continuous tense

is groveling

singular

groveler

positive degree

groveling

infinitive

to grovel

gerund

groveling

participle

groveling

Origin and Evolution of groveling

First Known Use: 1530 year
Language of Origin: Middle English
Story behind the word: The word 'groveling' originated from the Middle English word 'grovelen' which means to creep or crawl on the ground like a worm.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'groveling' has come to signify a servile or submissive attitude, often used to describe someone who is excessively humble or obsequious.