First Known Use: 1804
Dictionary
1kowtow
noun kow·tow \(ˌ)kau̇-ˈtau̇, ˈkau̇-ˌ\
Definition of KOWTOW
: an act of kowtowing
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Origin of KOWTOW
Chinese (Beijing) kòutóu, from kòu to knock + tóu head
Rhymes with KOWTOW
Aargau, allow, and how, ant cow, as how, avow, Belau, Bissau, bowwow, Breslau, cacao, cahow, Callao, cash cow, chowchow, chow chow, Cracow, Dachau, Davao, Donau, endow, enow, erenow, eyebrow, gangplow, Hankow, hausfrau, haymow, highbrow, hoosegow, jiao, Jungfrau, know-how, Kraków, landau, lowbrow, luau, Lucknow, Macao, mau-mau, meow, Moscow, nohow, Palau, powwow, sea cow, snowplow, somehow, Spandau, Zwickau
2kowtow
verb
: to agree too easily or eagerly to do what someone else wants you to do : to obey someone with power in a way that seems weak
Full Definition of KOWTOW
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
See kowtow defined for English-language learners
See kowtow defined for kids
First Known Use of KOWTOW
1826
KOWTOW Defined for Kids
kowtow
verb kow·tow \kau̇-ˈtau̇, ˈkau̇-ˌtau̇\
kow·towedkow·tow·ing
Definition of KOWTOW for Kids
: to obey a person in a position of power in a way that seems weak : show overly respectful attention <"… don't expect me to kowtow to you, mortal, just because old Barnacle-Beard is your father." — Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief>
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