courtesy

American  

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

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.

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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

• overcourtesy noun
• uncourtesy noun

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. )

Example Sentences

This latest breakout came courtesy of a break above a double bottom pivot at $10.32 on Jan. 5, accompanied by double the average daily volume.

From Barron's

Note that these returns, courtesy of Dartmouth College professor Ken French, don’t include transaction costs.

From MarketWatch

But the Floridian, who remains eligible for all four majors courtesy of his 2023 US PGA Championship victory, is clearly keen to rejoin the tour he dramatically left four years ago.

From BBC

In that home, Harbour’s bedroom was filled with natural light courtesy of the enormous windows and sky-high ceilings.

From MarketWatch

Ideas for improving office life, courtesy of those who have to work in them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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