courteous

[kur-tee-uhs]

adjective

1. having or showing good manners; polite.

   Synonyms: courtly, gracious, mannerly

courteous

/ ˈkɜːtɪəs /

adjective

1. polite and considerate in manner

Other Word Forms

• courteously adverb
• courteousness noun
• overcourteous adjective
• overcourteously adverb
• overcourteousness noun
• pseudocourteous adjective
• pseudocourteously adverb
• quasi-courteous adjective
• quasi-courteously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of courteous¹

1225–75; court + -eous; replacing Middle English co ( u ) rteis < Anglo-French; court, -ese

Word History and Origins

Origin of courteous¹

C13 corteis, literally: with courtly manners, from Old French; see _court

Synonym Study

See civil.

Example Sentences

It was not the first time she had helped with her mistress’s correspondence, for Lady Constance received a great many invitations, all of which had to be accepted or declined in courteous handwritten notes.

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She said she "tried to stay courteous and calm", but told the jury she was "stunned" by the approach.

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Mr Sawyer told me he does not mind people walking along the beach as long as they were "courteous and respectful".

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She said she "tried to stay courteous and calm", but told the jury she was "stunned" and took the envelope before telling Ms Wandelt to contact investigators working on the case.

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It is not a rule to apologise for a net cord, but some players feel it courteous to do so.

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Related Words

• affable 
• attentive 
• civil 
• civilized 
• considerate 
• courtly 
• gracious 
• polite 
• respectful 
• soft-spoken 
• thoughtful 
• well-behaved 
• well-mannered 
• well-spoken