How to pronounce obsequious
Say it like ub-SEE-kwee-us. Obsequious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce obsequious. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ub
- SEE
- kwee
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Obsequious pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ubKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- kweeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of obsequious
American and British speakers say obsequious in essentially the same way: /əbˈsikwiəs/ in the US and /əbˈsiːkwiəs/ in the UK.
British respelling: ub-SEE-kwee-us.
What does obsequious mean?
- Excessively eager and attentive to please or to obey instructions; fawning, subservient, servile.
Where does obsequious come from?
From Middle English obsequyous, from Latin obsequiōsus (“complaisant, obsequious”), from obsequium (“compliance”), from obsequor (“comply with, yield to”), from ob (“in the direction of, towards”) + sequor (“follow”) (cf.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying obsequious
How do you pronounce obsequious?
Say ub-SEE-kwee-us. The American pronunciation is /əbˈsikwiəs/. In British English it is /əbˈsiːkwiəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in obsequious?
Obsequious has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SEE). Broken into parts: ub · SEE · kwee · us.
Do Americans and Brits say obsequious the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əbˈsikwiəs/ and the British form is /əbˈsiːkwiəs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.