How you say it: [uhb-see-kwee-uhs]
What it is: adjective
What it means: 1.) characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow. 2.) servilely compliant or deferential: obsequious servants. 3.) obedient; dutiful (Definition courtesy of Dictionary.com.)
[Side note: this word tends to have a negative connotation (implied meaning, not literal meaning) rather than a positive one. Think, "obedient to the point of being a brown-noser." 'Complaisance,' one of the words they use to help define this, basically means 'compliant.' Don't confuse 'complaisance' with 'complacence,' which means a false sense of security, especially when accompanied with smugness.]
Use it three times and it's yours! Using a word three times can help it stick in your memory.
Serena, normally a sluggish worker, became industrious and obsequious the minute her manager walked into the room.
The valets were more obsequious than they were friendly.
Obsequiousness is not necessarily a positive trait.
[Another side note: many adjectives can be converted to nouns with the suffix -ness.]
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