# kowtow

/ˈkaʊˈtaʊ/ (US) · /kˈaʊtaʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kowtow
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

to act in a very humble way toward someone powerful because you want to please them or are afraid of them. It often suggests you are giving up your own dignity to show respect.

For teachers: to act in an excessively subservient manner; to show obsequious deference. Historically refers to the Chinese custom of kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground as a sign of respect.

## Examples

- He refuses to kowtow to the demands of his boss.
- The local government was accused of kowtowing to large corporations instead of protecting the interests of the residents.
- While diplomatic protocol requires a certain level of formality, the ambassador was careful not to kowtow to the regime, maintaining a firm stance on human rights throughout the negotiations.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He kowtowed his manager" but "He kowtowed to his manager" — Kowtow is an intransitive verb and requires the preposition 'to' before the person being addressed.

## Usage notes

- The verb is intransitive and typically takes the preposition 'to'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.