curtsy

or curt·sey

[ kurt-see ]

/ ˈkɜrt si /

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See synonyms for: curtsy / curtsied / curtsying on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural curt·sies.

a respectful bow made by women and girls, consisting of bending the knees and lowering the body.

verb (used without object), curt·sied, curt·sy·ing.

to make a curtsy.

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Origin of curtsy

First recorded in 1520–30; variant of courtesy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use curtsy in a sentence

Between receiving the bows and curtsies of the 300 or so guests, Washington danced a minuet and two cotillions with three different partners — none of whom was first lady Martha, who was still in Virginia getting ready for the trip north.
Not all presidents’ dance skills are created equal|Bonnie Berkowitz, Joanne Lee|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
When Statira appeared the house shouted welcome; she turned her eyes up at Rose Lyndwood as she curtsied.
The Rake's Progress|Marjorie Bowen
She curtsied low an' picked him up, an' there began a frindship so full iv sorrow an' happiness to both iv thim.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
Mrs. Nicholson arose and curtsied, but was full of confusion, and unable to utter a word.
Yorkshire Oddities, Incidents and Strange Events|S. Baring-Gould

"Mr. Dockwrath, Mrs. Mason," said the lady's husband, introducing them; and then Mrs. Mason curtsied to the stranger.
Orley Farm|Anthony Trollope
Mrs. Roby curtsied, and then remembered that in these days only housemaids ought to curtsey.
The Prime Minister|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for curtsy

curtsy

curtsey

/ (ˈkɜːtsɪ) /

noun plural -sies or -seys

a formal gesture of greeting and respect made by women in which the knees are bent, the head slightly bowed, and the skirt held outwards

verb -sies, -sying, -sied, -seys, -seying or -seyed

(intr) to make a curtsy

Word Origin for curtsy

C16: variant of courtesy

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

curtsy

or curt·sey

Origin of curtsy

Words related to curtsy

How to use curtsy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for curtsy

curtsey

Word Origin for curtsy