courtesy

SayKUR-tuh-see/ˈkɝɾəsi/UK/ˈkɜːtəsi/

Pluralcourtesies (some meanings)

9 meanings of courtesy

1
noununcountable
Kind and polite ways of treating other people.
Like holding the door open so the person behind you can walk through.
She always treats her neighbors with courtesy.
A little courtesy goes a long way when you meet new people.
Similarpoliteness, civility, consideration, graciousness, manners
Oppositerudeness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility
Note
2
nouncountable
A kind word or action you give to be nice, not because you have to.
Like giving up your seat for someone: a nice choice, not a rule.
Offering them tea was a small courtesy, not something he had to do.
She remembered the little courtesies that made guests feel welcome.
Similarkindness, favor, gesture, nicety
Oppositediscourtesy, slight
Note
3
adjective
Given to you for free.
Like a free sample at a store that you don't have to pay for.
The hotel offers a courtesy shuttle to the airport.
They gave us courtesy tickets because the show started late.
Similarcomplimentary, free, gratis
Oppositepaid
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4
adjective
Done to be polite, not because it is needed.
Like waving back to someone just to be friendly.
He made a courtesy visit to his old teacher.
The manager gave a courtesy reply to every complaint.
Similarpolite, token
5
noununcountable
A kind willingness to give people the things they need.
Like a neighbor lending you milk when you run out.
Through the courtesy of a neighbor, the family had food that week.
He found a place to sleep by the courtesy of strangers.
Similargenerosity, kindness, goodwill
Note
6
noununcountable
Agreement to allow something even when it is not strictly true.
Like letting a friend keep an old nickname even when it no longer fits.
He kept the title of captain only by courtesy after he retired.
The old building is called a palace by courtesy, though it is quite plain.
Note
7
nouncountable or uncountable
A small bend of the knees made as a polite greeting, mostly by girls and women.
Like a little bow to show respect.
She made a quick courtesy to the queen.
The dancer ended with a graceful courtesy.
Similarcurtsy
Note
8
verb
Alternative form of curtsey. It is an old-fashioned word for bending the knees as a polite greeting.
The children learned to courtesy before their teacher.
She would courtesy to the king each morning.
Note
9
nouncountable or uncountable
A husband's legal right to use his dead wife's land for the rest of his life.
Like being allowed to keep living in a house after the owner has died.
By courtesy, the widower kept the farm until his own death.
The court granted him courtesy over his late wife's estate.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From an Old French word for polite behaviour, related to the word "courteous."