courtesy

[kur-tuh-see, kurt-see]

noun

plural

courtesies 

1. excellence of manners or social conduct; polite behavior.

   Her unfailing courtesy made her easy to work with.

   Synonyms: urbanity, civility, courteousness

2. a courteous, respectful, or considerate act or expression.

3. indulgence, consent, or acquiescence.

   He is a “colonel” by courtesy rather than by right.

4. favor, help, or generosity.

   The costumes for the play were by courtesy of the local department store.

5. a curtsy.

adjective

1. done or performed as a matter of politeness or protocol.

   The council member paid a courtesy call on the mayor.

2. offered or provided free by the management.

   While waiting to board the airplane, we were provided with courtesy coffee.

courtesy

/ ˈkɜːtɪsɪ /

noun

1. politeness; good manners

2. a courteous gesture or remark

3. favour or consent (esp in the phrase by courtesy of )

4. common consent as opposed to right (esp in the phrase by courtesy ) See also courtesy title

5. an archaic spelling of curtsy

Other Word Forms

• overcourtesy noun
• uncourtesy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtesy¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; from Middle English curteisie, from Anglo-French, from Old French; equivalent to courteous ( def. ) + -y ³ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtesy¹

C13 curteisie, from Old French, from corteis _courteous

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. courtesy of, from or given by.

   This tip comes courtesy of our inside source.

Example Sentences

It also has a slight bite to it, courtesy of maple leaf-shaped cookies, which are also made with real maple syrup.

From Salon

The coach recalled the forehead full of stitches he once received courtesy of the former NBA defensive player of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

With 83 minutes on the clock, Newcastle United were still in front at St James' Park courtesy of a powerful header from Nick Woltemade.

From BBC

A courtesy royal title is one held by those who are associated with a peer or member of the royal family but do not hold a substantive title.

From BBC

He added: "I know there will be no one more frustrated than you, over this one slip in your normal approach of courtesy and respect to all".

From BBC

Related Words

• civility 
• deference 
• generosity 
• kindness 
• reverence 
• sympathy