Complaisant
Adjective
Definition: Willing to please others; agreeable; obliging.
Synonyms: Accommodating, Obliging, Agreeable, Cooperative, Helpful
Antonyms: Uncooperative, Stubborn, Unaccommodating
- The complaisant waiter quickly brought them an extra chair.
- She was always complaisant and never hesitated to assist her colleagues.
- "Complaisant" sounds like "comply" or "compliant," reminding us of someone who is willing to comply or please others.
Etymology:
The word "complaisant" comes from the French term "complaisant," which means "obliging" or "eager to please." It entered English usage in the late 17th century.
Historical Usage:Throughout history, "complaisant" has been used to describe individuals who are accommodating and eager to fulfill others' requests or desires.
Related Idioms:
"Too complaisant for his own good"
Explanation:This phrase refers to someone who is excessively accommodating, often to their detriment or disadvantage.
Misconceptions:
Confusing "complaisant" with "complacent."
Explanation:While the two words might sound similar, they have different meanings. "Complaisant" means willing to please or obliging, while "complacent" refers to a self-satisfied or overly confident attitude.