comity

American  

[kom-i-tee] / ˈkɒm ɪ ti /

noun

• comities
  plural

1. mutual courtesy; civility.

2. Also called comity of nations. courtesy between nations, as in respect shown by one country for the laws, judicial decisions, and institutions of another.

---

comity British  

/ ˈkɒmɪtɪ /

noun

1. mutual civility; courtesy

2. short for comity of nations

3. the policy whereby one religious denomination refrains from proselytizing the members of another

---

Usage

What does comity mean? Comity means mutual respect or civility. When two people or groups show comity, they behave toward each other in a way that’s respectful, courteous, and polite. The term is used in a more specific way to refer to mutual respect demonstrated by two nations, especially by respecting and abiding by each other’s laws and judicial decisions. This is sometimes referred to by the phrase comity of nations. Example: The two nations have a long tradition of comity, which makes the recent disagreement about extradition seem very unusual.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• comities
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of comity

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin cōmitās, equivalent to cōm(is) “affable” + -itās -ity

---

Explanation

The noun comity means a state of civility or courtesy between people, organizations, and nations. It's a hoped-for mutual respect and friendliness, although too infrequently the case in politics and business. Comity is one of those rare words that has retained its original meaning through the ages. The Latin adjective cōmis, "courteous, friendly," developed into the noun cōmitātem, meaning "courtesy or friendliness" and ultimately into English comity in the 16th century. The phrase "comity of nations," coined in 1862, refers to the mutual respect for each other's laws and institutions that encourages a friendly back-and-forth between nations.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

comity comities

The co-CEOs tried to foster a culture of nerdy comity, pitching Two Sigma as the “best place for nice geeks to work.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

I’ve learned over the years that what’s mine is yours and usually likewise in the spirit of hiker comity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

Those predictions, however, have usually been followed by renewed signs of comity between the two men.

From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2025

Third, Democrats and Republicans should use the affordability crisis as a point of comity.

From Slate ● Feb. 17, 2025

State Department regularly brought African dignitaries to the city, to show the world that the stories in the sensationalist press about race problems in America were exaggerated or exceptions to the rule of racial comity.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

They appointed comities, an' they held a meetin'.

From Mr. Dooley: In the Hearts of His Countrymen by Finley Peter Dunne

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• accord
• affection
• agreement
• closeness
• devotion
• good will
• harmony
• intimacy
• love
• pact
• rapport
• society
• solidarity
• understanding

---