courtesy title

American  

noun

1. a title applied or assumed through custom, courtesy, or association and without regard for its being officially merited.

2. a title allowed by custom, as to the children of dukes.

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courtesy title British  

noun

1. any of several titles having no legal significance, such as those borne by the children of peers

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Etymology

Origin of courtesy title

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

When James was born, he was given the title Viscount Severn - a "courtesy" title as son of an earl, rather than using prince.

From BBC • May 6, 2023

Mr. Jordan asked whether the chief justice had used the courtesy title.

From Washington Times • Dec. 8, 2022

“They were the reject diamonds back in the day,” said Devine, founder of Lolide, who uses the gender-neutral courtesy title Mx.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 2, 2022

Nelson, who uses a gender neutral courtesy title, mentioned wanting to “get tickets to the opera, stay out dancing til dawn and read the NYTimes in disheveled sheets in the morning.”

From New York Times • Feb. 25, 2022

No trains went there—Maycomb Junction, a courtesy title, was located in Abbott County, twenty miles away.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee