kowtow verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced American Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of kowtow verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

kowtow

verb

NAmE//ˈkaʊtaʊ//

[intransitive] kowtow (to somebody/something) (informal) (disapproving)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they kowtow

he / she / it kowtows

past simple kowtowed

-ing form kowtowing

to show someone in authority too much respect and be too willing to obey them Her pride wouldn't allow her to kowtow to anyone.

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See kowtow in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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