kowtow

1 of 2

verb

kow·​tow ˈkau̇-ˌtau̇ How to pronounce kowtow (audio)
(ˌ)kau̇-ˈtau̇
kowtowed; kowtowing; kowtows

intransitive verb

1
: to show obsequious deference : fawn
kowtows to the boss
2
: to kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in token of homage, worship, or deep respect

kowtow

2 of 2

noun

: an act of kowtowing

Did you know?

Kowtow originated as a noun referring to the act of kneeling and touching one's head to the ground as a salute or act of worship to a revered authority. In traditional China this ritual was performed by commoners making requests to the local magistrate, by the emperor to the shrine of Confucius, or by foreign representatives appearing before the emperor to establish trade relations. (In the late 18th century, some Western nations resisted performing the ritual, which acknowledged the Chinese emperor as the "son of heaven.") The word kowtow derives from Chinese koutou, formed by combining the verb kou ("to knock") with the noun tou ("head").

Examples of kowtow in a Sentence

Verb you can try kowtowing to the boss, but he'll see right through you
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
That was part of a broader DeSantis attack against the House for kowtowing to liberal trial lawyers. Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025 On one side is a Senate GOP almost entirely representing lower-cost states that is tired of kowtowing to the House; on the other side is a handful of House members whose electoral wins gave Republicans the majority, and the ability to even write a party-line tax bill. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
To cover up his kowtow, the president crowed that Russia and Ukraine would now begin negotiations for a ceasefire. Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025 That stronger defense will be vital: Trump’s kowtow to Russia over Ukraine will surely make Putin bolder in hybrid warfare against Europe. Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kowtow

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Chinese (Beijing) kòutóu, from kòu to knock + tóu head

First Known Use

Verb

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kowtow was in 1804

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Kowtow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kowtow. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

kowtow

verb
kow·​tow
ˈkau̇-ˈtau̇,
ˈkau̇-ˌtau̇
: to show overly respectful attention
Etymology

Verb

from Chinese kòutóu, literally, "to bump the head (in bowing to the ground)"

More from Merriam-Webster on kowtow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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