Merriam-Webster's Word Central

July 11, 2012

obsequious (adjective): \ub-SEE-kwee-us\
What does it mean?: : ready or prompt to help or obey like a servant or slave at the wish or command of another person especially to gain favor
How do you use it?: Charles Dickens' popular novel David Copperfield features an obsequious but ambitious character named Uriah Heep who is constantly mentioning how "humble" he is.
Are you a word wiz?: Which one of these sentences do you think uses the word "obsequious" correctly?

A. Some dissatisfied workers claimed that the new manager's obsequious manner toward the company president earned him the promotion.

B. The lottery winner used a portion of her new wealth to build an obsequious mansion on a hill.

C. Connor remains obsequious in his refusal to upgrade his outdated cell phone to a newer model.

D. When Laura focuses her attention on a project, she tends to be obsequious to her surroundings.

A nonliving object, such as a mansion, can be overly showy and "ostentatious," but not "obsequious," so B can be the first to go. Connor in sentence C may be described as "obstinate" or stubborn in refusing to give up his obsolete equipment, while Laura in D is "oblivious"—that is, not conscious or aware of what is going on around her, when she is concentrating. That leaves A, and the "yes-man" who has earned the scorn of his former coworkers.