Grovel vs Kowtow - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between grovel and kowtow

is that grovel is to be prone on the ground while kowtow is to kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.

the act of kowtowing.

To be prone on the ground.

To crawl

To abase oneself before another person.

To be nice to someone or apologize in the hope of securing something.

To take pleasure in mundane activities.

* The spellings grovelling and grovelled are more common in the UK. Groveling and groveled are more common in the US.

* kotow

(en verb)

To kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.

To bow very deeply.

(figuratively) To act in a very submissive manner.

(en noun)

The act of kowtowing.