courtly
Americanadjective
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polite, refined, or elegant.
courtly manners.
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flattering; obsequious.
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noting, pertaining to, or suitable for the court of a sovereign.
adverb
adjective
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of or suitable for a royal court
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refined in manner
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ingratiating
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of courtly
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at court, -ly
Explanation
The word courtly has nothing to do with a basketball court or court of law. Rather, courtly things relate to royal courts: they're sophisticated and grand. Think about the pomp that surrounds a royal wedding in England, and you'll get a sense of the lavish, expensive, regal nature of courtly things. Nothing courtly is common, cheap, or average. Since kings like the finer things in life, courtly things are similarly extravagant and impressive.
Vocabulary lists containing courtly
Tolkien Reading Day, List 11
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Red, White, and Whole
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Howl's Moving Castle
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Mr. Pence is courtly, and chivalrous perhaps to a fault.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026
Next to pictures showing her and Bardella walking, holding hands, and clambering over rocks, Paris-Match waxes lyrical about a couple "reinventing courtly love – 21st Century-style".
From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2026
Here, onstage at the Paradise club in Boston, his singing has a courtly charm that makes “She’s Got a Way” feel like Joel’s version of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2025
And he is seen as "the courtly gentleman of the Marble Palace," as Time Magazine described him.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 2024
He was courtly, and referred to us as “gentlemen,” even doffing his hat to us, something no one else in the prison service ever did.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
In some ways, Gucci Mane is a holdover from this older, meaner era, which is one reason that a younger, courtlier peer like Drake is so eager to get his blessing.
From The New Yorker ● Aug. 1, 2016
Mr. Kuhn favors a courtlier style, crisp and precise.
From New York Times ● May 15, 2016
His competitive instincts could overwhelm his gentler, courtlier ones.
From New York Times ● Apr. 22, 2016
In comportment and style, Byrd often seemed a Senate throwback to a courtlier 19th century.
From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2010
O, this is the Prince that I would sing— Would drape and garnish in velvet line Since courtlier far than any king Is this brave boy-friend of mine!
From Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor (Poems and Yarns) by Nye, Bill
But Mr. Lovano gave it his courtliest treatment, caressing the wistful melody with a whispery, feathery grace.
From New York Times ● Jul. 26, 2013
He is the most reticent of directors -- where the book ogles, the film discreetly observes -- and, here, the courtliest of stars.
From Time Magazine Archive
Gottfried von Cramm, who put Budge out in the semi-finals that year, greeted the Queen with the courtliest bow of the dav.
From Time Magazine Archive
He received her in his courtliest manner, complimented her with admirable tact, listened with soft deference to her statement.
From The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. X (of X) - America - II, Index by Lodge, Henry Cabot
“Well, we are, Polly, my child,” said old Mr.134 King, getting out to help her with his courtliest air.
From Five Little Peppers at School by Heyer, Hermann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
