Courtesy Definition

kûrtĭ-sē
courtesies
noun
courtesies
Courteous behavior; gracious politeness.
Webster's New World
A polite, helpful, or considerate act or remark.
Webster's New World
An act or usage intended to honor or compliment.
A former legislator addressed as “Senator” by courtesy.
Webster's New World
Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.
They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
American Heritage
Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.
Free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
American Heritage
adjective
Of or having to do with courtesy or a courtesy.
Webster's New World
Given or done as a polite gesture.
We paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
Wiktionary
Provided free as a courtesy; complimentary.
Webster's New World
verb

Alternative form of curtsey.

Wiktionary
idiom
courtesy of
  • without charge, as a gesture of goodwill
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Courtesy

Noun

Singular:
courtesy
Plural:
courtesies

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Courtesy

Origin of Courtesy

  • From Middle English curtesie, from Anglo-Norman curtesie, from Old French curteisie, cortoisie.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English courtesie from Old French from corteis courtly courteous

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to courtesy using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

Words Ending With

Unscrambles

courtesy