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:
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
“Eastward, Westward” is the opposite of congratulatory: It is courtly and self-effacing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
“Irresistible” might be set in the period we know as the Victorian era, and there are royals and attendant paraphernalia, but lovers of polite courtly romances might want to steer clear.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2025
The courtly gentleman guided women around the floor to big band standards with all the aplomb of teenage boys waltzing at a cotillion dance they’ve been forced to attend by their parents.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2025
The old man motioned me in with his right hand with a courtly gesture, saying in excellent English, but with a strange intonation:—
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
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
And a courtlier manner no prince ever had Than the little old man that she speaks of as "dad."
From Just Folks by Edgar A. (Edgar Albert) Guest
But Mr. Lovano gave it his courtliest treatment, caressing the wistful melody with a whispery, feathery grace.
From New York Times ● Jul. 26, 2013
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 is the most reticent of directors -- where the book ogles, the film discreetly observes -- and, here, the courtliest of stars.
From Time Magazine Archive
He turned to me, and bowed low--his courtliest bow.
From The Red Cockade by Stanley John Weyman
Payne Todd grew up to be a handsome young man, "the courtliest of all the cavaliers," during the early years of Madison's administration.
From Dorothy Payne, Quakeress A Side-Light upon the Career of 'Dolly' Madison by Ella Kent Barnard
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
