Overview of noun kowtow

The noun kowtow has 1 sense

• kowtow, kotow -- (a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission)

Overview of verb kowtow

The verb kowtow has 2 senses

• scrape, kowtow, genuflect -- (bend the knees and bow in a servile manner)


• fawn, toady, truckle, bootlick, kowtow, kotow, suck up -- (try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always kowtowing to his boss")