Docile

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Ready and willing to be taught or controlled; easily taught and compliant.

adjective

Docile

Ready and willing to be taught or controlled; easily taught and compliant.

adjective

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Imagine This

Picture a well-behaved puppy in a classroom: it sits calmly, listens to every command, and learns new tricks quickly without resistance.

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Sounds Like

DOS-uhl

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Remember This

The root comes from Latin docilis meaning teachable, from docere 'to teach'. The word conveys willingness to be taught, not weakness.

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Other Forms

docilitynoun

docilelyadverb

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Connect With

teachable, compliant, obedient, tractable, amenable

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Note

Docile describes people or animals that are obedient and teachable. It does not imply passive loss of autonomy in all contexts; a docile learner still engages when guided.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The docile puppy learned basic commands in just a week.
A good mentor seeks to cultivate a docile attitude in new employees by encouraging questions and feedback.

Synonyms

teachablecompliantobedienttractableamenable

Antonyms

stubbornwillfulrecalcitrant

Etymology

From Latin docilis meaning teachable, from docere 'to teach'; entered English via Old French.

Mnemonic

DOCILE stands for Demonstrate, Observe, Conform, Instruct, Learn Easily.

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Dogmatic

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Ascertain

verb

To find out or determine something with certainty through careful investigation or analysis.

Discipline

noun

1) Training or exercise intended to produce obedience, self-control, and orderly behavior; 2) a branch or field of study; 3) self-control or restraint in thoughts and actions.