courteous
Americanadjective
adjective
Related Words
See civil.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of courteous
1225–75; court + -eous; replacing Middle English co ( u ) rteis < Anglo-French; court, -ese
Explanation
If you are courteous, your good manners show friendliness and concern for others, like your courteous habit of holding the door for people entering a building with you. The adjective courteous comes from the Old French word curteis, which means “having courtly bearing or manners.” Courtly described the court — nobles who hung around the castle, the entourage of kings and queens. Their refined manners, not to mention their wealth and power, set them apart from the masses. So courteous behavior is a reminder of the value of good manners.
Vocabulary lists containing courteous
The Diary of Anne Frank
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Be Nice!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
More Positive Words to Describe a Person
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Courteous here, collaborative there, competitive when necessary—Harvey’s driving personality was, if I may say, a lot like mine.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026
Courteous visitors often break down their boxes and stuff them into the bins, which only makes it harder to fit other trash.
From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024
Courteous and exuberant — he was no annoying paparazzo — Mr. Kirkland was welcomed into stars’ homes and hotel rooms and onto movie sets.
From New York Times • Oct. 9, 2022
Courteous Americans playing in the Open often remark how "knowledgeable" the British golf fans are.
From Golf Digest • Jul. 7, 2014
Courteous Readers, Your kind and charitable Assistance last Year, in purchasing so large an Impression of my Almanacks, has made my Circumstances much more easy in the World, and requires my grateful Acknowledgment.
From Benjamin Franklin Representative selections, with introduction, bibliograpy, and notes by Jorgenson, Chester E.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
