Standard Lemma guide

groveler

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A person who grovels.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: adulator, apple polisher, arse-kisser, arse-licker, ass-kisser, ass-licker, bootlick, bootlicker, buttkisser, buttlicker, brownnose, brown noser, clawback, dickrider, doormat, flatterer, flunkey, groveler, groveller, hanger-on, kiss-ass, lackey, lickspittle, lick-platter, lickpot, minion, people pleaser, pickthank, schmoozer, simp, suck up, sycophant, throne sniffer, toadeater, toady, white knight

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

someone who humbles himself as a sign of respect; who behaves as if he had no self-respect

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: apple polisher, bootlicker, fawner, groveller, truckler

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: sycophant, toady, crawler, lackey, ass-kisser

History

Etymology

From grovel + -er.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: подлизурко (podlizurko) — a person who grovels
  • Spanish: arrastrado — a person who grovels