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

After scoring in the fourth, San Diego extended its lead in the seventh courtesy of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026

That main living space opens up directly to the backyard courtesy of the glass walls that slide open to break the barrier between the indoor and outdoor areas.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

Two and three decades from now, improved diagnostics and improved pharmaceuticals, also courtesy of AI, will help extend, he says, “our most precious commodity: years of life.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 27, 2026

Both officers were found to have breached standards of professional behaviour relating to authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

I had never heard him use this sort of harsh, elaborate courtesy, and had no idea what it signified.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

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