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. )

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

Jackson’s image overhaul, meanwhile, came courtesy of the videos accompanying the album, marked by Paula Abdul’s award-winning choreography and infused by Jackson’s pavement-shaking attitude.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Although the home is located on a popular street in Sag Harbor, it afforded Brooklyn-born Behar total privacy courtesy of the lush trees that surround the grounds.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Leyland's first try came as he scooped the ball over the line but his second came courtesy of an audacious run-in from halfway, which sent the home fans into raptures.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Brongersma is a professor, by courtesy, of applied physics; a member of Stanford Bio-X, the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, and the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute; and an affiliate of the Precourt Institute for Energy.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

Within twenty-four hours she was picked up and was on board a flight to San Francisco, courtesy of the American Consulate General.

From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai

Related Words

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