Definition

A person who shows excessive willingness to please others, often by behaving in a submissive or overly humble way.

Example

He was seen as a groveler, always trying to win favor with his boss by agreeing with everything she said.

Conversation

Did you see how he acted during the meeting yesterday?

Yeah, he really came off as a total groveler when he apologized.

Right? It was so over the top, I felt embarrassed for him.

Same here! Sometimes it's better to just be honest instead of acting like a groveler.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Groveler → The word 'groveler' is derived from the verb 'grovel', which comes from the Middle English 'grovelen', meaning to crawl or creep. The root 'grovel' is thought to be related to the Old Norse 'grufla', meaning to crawl or to lie flat. The suffix '-er' indicates a person who performs the action. Therefore, a 'groveler' is a person who crawls or lies flat, often in a submissive or obsequious manner.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone 'crawling' or 'lying flat' in a submissive way — that's what a groveler does.

Visually Confused Words