courteous
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
See civil.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of courteous
1225–75; court + -eous; replacing Middle English co ( u ) rteis < Anglo-French; court, -ese
Explanation
If you are courteous, your good manners show friendliness and concern for others, like your courteous habit of holding the door for people entering a building with you. The adjective courteous comes from the Old French word curteis, which means “having courtly bearing or manners.” Courtly described the court — nobles who hung around the castle, the entourage of kings and queens. Their refined manners, not to mention their wealth and power, set them apart from the masses. So courteous behavior is a reminder of the value of good manners.
Vocabulary lists containing courteous
The Diary of Anne Frank
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Be Nice!
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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.
Another took a similar courteous tone: “Erica, queen of them all… please let the mister give it one more go!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026
Robinson has urged his attendees not to wear masks or drink excessive alcohol, and to be "peaceful and courteous".
From Barron's ● May 16, 2026
In a separate interview on Tuesday, he told RTL radio that Epstein had been "generous" and "courteous", adding: "When I meet people I don't ask to see their criminal record."
From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2026
Rodríguez, meanwhile, described the call as "productive and courteous" and characterised by "mutual respect."
From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2026
The German oarsmen were courteous but hardly gushing with enthusiasm to see them.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
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.
