courtier

[ kawr-tee-er, kohr- ]

/ ˈkɔr ti ər, ˈkoʊr- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: courtier / courtiers on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who is often in attendance at the court of a king or other royal personage.

a person who seeks favor by flattery, charm, etc.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of courtier

1250–1300; Middle English courteour<Anglo-French courte(i)our, equivalent to Old French cortoy(er) to attend at court (derivative of courtcourt) + Anglo-French -our<Latin -ōr--or²; suffix later conformed to -ier¹

OTHER WORDS FROM courtier

un·der·cour·ti·er, noun

Words nearby courtier

courtesy card, courtesy light, courtesy title, court hand, courthouse, courtier, courting, courting mirror, court-leet, courtly, courtly love

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use courtier in a sentence

The prospect of Harry using his personal trauma to promote a TV show would once have sent shivers down the spine of courtiers at Buckingham Palace, but not now.
This Time, the Royals Are Ready for Prince Harry to Reveal More Secrets to Oprah|Tom Sykes|May 20, 2021|The Daily Beast
Among the distinguished talent featured in Couture Dogs of New York is award-winning pet fashion courtier Anthony Rubio.
FIT Hosts BARK-à-Porter: Art Deco-Themed Pet Fashion Show|Claire Stern|May 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In fact, a senior courtier tells the Royalist that the China idea never even reached the planning stage.
Harry To Go Back On Tour, But Not To China|Tom Sykes|February 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even for the most forward-looking courtier, that might be a modernization too far.
Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry's Hard-Partying Royal Wedding Date|Tom Sykes|April 26, 2011|DAILY BEAST

But the essence of Disraeli's genius as a courtier was his ability to make it all about her.
Bachelor Brad Womack's Hidden Brilliance|Nicole LaPorte|February 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
And to top it all off, retired courtier Valantino Garavani threw a lavish party at his expansive estate, Château de Wideville.
Best of Paris Fashion Week|Kevin Tachman, Isabel Wilkinson|July 9, 2010|DAILY BEAST
A favorite of king and courtier, its use was alike common in the palace and the courtyard.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
But the new Marshal cared little for the life of a courtier, much as he prized his military distinctions.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Ever since the Dutch looked upon the plant it has been more to them than king and courtier.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Abbot was nothing of a courtier, and, indeed, no very pleasant-natured man.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper
And now, having attained all he could desire, Wilkes sank the patriot in the courtier.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper

British Dictionary definitions for courtier

courtier

/ (ˈkɔːtɪə) /

noun

an attendant at a court

a person who seeks favour in an ingratiating manner

Word Origin for courtier

C13: from Anglo-French courteour (unattested), from Old French corteier to attend at court

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

courtier

Origin of courtier

OTHER WORDS FROM courtier

Words nearby courtier

Words related to courtier

How to use courtier in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for courtier

Word Origin for courtier