1. willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed (Freq. 3) - the docile masses of an enslaved nation • Ant: stubborn • Similar to: meek, tame, sheeplike, sheepish, yielding • See Also: obedient, tractable, manipulable • Derivationally related forms: docility 2. ready and willing to be taught - docile pupils eager for instruction - teachable youngsters • Syn: teachable • Similar to: tractable, manipulable • Derivationally related forms: teach (for: teachable) 3. easily handled or managed - a gentle old horse, docile and obedient • Syn: gentle • Similar to: tame, tamed • Derivationally related forms: docility