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slavish — showing no originality; blindly copying or imitating

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: showing no originality; blindly copying or imitating

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsleɪvɪʃ/

Example Sentences

  • The student's slavish copying of Wikipedia made the professor laugh and cry at the same time.
  • His slavish worship of celebrities was so extreme that he even copied their breakfast menus.
  • The company's slavish adherence to outdated policies prevented any innovation.

slavish

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈsleɪvɪʃ/]

showing no originality; blindly copying or imitating

The apprentice made a slavish copy of the master's painting, matching every single brushstroke.
💡 Concept

The apprentice made a slavish copy of the master's painting, matching every single brushstroke.

Slavish copying looks poor, while lavish creativity can ravish and allure!
🎵 Rhyme

Slavish copying looks poor, while lavish creativity can ravish and allure!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈsleɪvɪʃ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈsleɪvɪʃ/

🌳Etymology

Rootslave
Suffix--ish

Origin

From Middle English 'slave' (meaning a person owned by another) combined with the suffix '-ish'. The word 'slave' itself came from Medieval Latin 'sclavus', originally referring to Slavic peoples who were often enslaved in medieval Europe.

Breakdown

slave (a person in bondage) + -ish (having the quality of, resembling)

🎵Rhyme

lavish
ravish

🔗Collocations

slavish devotion
slavish imitation
slavish obedience
slavish adherence
slavish copying
slavish mentality

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The student's slavish copying of Wikipedia made the professor laugh and cry at the same time.”

😄 Fun example

“His slavish worship of celebrities was so extreme that he even copied their breakfast menus.”

“The company's slavish adherence to outdated policies prevented any innovation.”

😄 Fun example

“She showed slavish obedience to every rule, even the one about not wearing purple on Tuesdays.”

📚Related Words

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