Complaisant

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /kÉ™mˈpleɪsÉ™nt/
• Homophones: complacent
• US IPA: /kÉ™mˈpleɪsÉ™nt/, kÉ™mˈpleɪzÉ™nt/

Origin

From French complaisant ("willing to please"), from complaire, from Latin complacēre, present active infinitive of complaceō ("please well"), from com- ("with") + placeō ("please").

Full definition of complaisant

Adjective

1. compliant
2. Willing to do what pleases others.
3. (archaic) polite, showing respect

Usage notes

Complaisant should not be confused with its homophone, complacent.

Derived terms

• complaisantly