courtesy

American  

[kur-tuh-see, kurt-see] / ˈkɜr tə si, ˈkɜrt si /

noun

• courtesies
  plural

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.

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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.

idioms

1. courtesy of, from or given by.

   This tip comes courtesy of our inside source.

courtesy British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overcourtesy
  noun
• uncourtesy
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• courtesies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of courtesy

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

Explanation

A courtesy is a polite remark or respectful act. Complain about a bad meal, and you might get kicked out. But the common courtesy is usually an apology from the manager and, if you're lucky, a free dinner. Courtesy is all about using your good manners, which is why it shares roots with the word courteous. Holding the door open for someone, writing a thank-you note for a gift, and letting the pregnant lady have the last seat on the bus are all courtesies that would make your parents proud. And if something is kindly presented to you free of charge, the gift-giver may say it's "courtesy of" someone special.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

courtesy courtesies

It showed a snapshot of his checking and savings account balances and other details, courtesy of his agent.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Kacey Musgraves is taking another trip to “Uncertain, TX” — this time with a little bit of Tejano flair courtesy of a legendary South Texas band.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

That came courtesy of a 1-0 win over Sunderland - John Hartson heading in the winner for Gordon Strachan's side in front of 20,946 fans at Highfield Road.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

The solution comes to Cartman in a dream, courtesy of Aunt Jemima: the food pyramid is upside down.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

He wasn’t disappointed: not only did the Dodgers win, but he was treated to a spectacle courtesy of Jackie Robinson.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

You could describe that as the meaningless courtesies of routine statecraft, but it also suggested a high-flying hotel guest offering his compliments to the concierge: The eggs this morning were entirely delicious.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

“What she absorbed of my strain, despite the courtesies of our hosts, is exemplified by her acquisition of two ulcers, which put her in the hospital for weeks at the end of the trip.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

You’re sitting in a room full of people who you want access to and you are observing the courtesies that are required to keep you in the room.

From Slate ● Nov. 17, 2025

“He’s paid his fealty. He’s done his bows and courtesies, and now realism sets in. He’s not going to win South Carolina in November,” Huffmon said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2024

“I get it. Common courtesies have gone the way of running water,” I tell him.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

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