curtsy

American  

[kurt-see] / ˈkɜrt si /

Or curtsey

noun

• curtsies
  plural

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

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verb (used without object)

curtsied, curtsying

1. to make a curtsy.

curtsy British  

/ ˈkɜːtsɪ /

noun

1. 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

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verb

1. (intr) to make a curtsy

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• curtsies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of curtsy

First recorded in 1520–30; variant of courtesy

Explanation

A curtsy is an old-fashioned half-bow that shows extreme respect. A woman or girl is generally expected to curtsy when meeting the Queen of England. There aren't many opportunities these days to curtsy, stepping forward with one foot, slightly bending both knees, and lowering your head. You're much more likely to read a reference to a curtsy in an old book or observe an actor curtsy on a stage than to see people curtsy in real life. The word curtsy sounds a little bit like courtesy, and that's exactly where it comes from.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

curtsy curtsies curtsied curtsying

He has them doing hip thrusts, banded side lunges, goblet curtsy squats and cable kickbacks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026

Valerie’s career is a long curtsy to declining standards and compromises; her 2014 journey thumbed its nose at the town’s prestige-chasing.

From Salon ● Mar. 26, 2026

"I don't know, I just do. When you love it, you do it, right? 'Don't sleep, don't eat, just do it on repeat,' to quote myself," she said with a mock curtsy.

From Barron's ● Jan. 24, 2026

All you can do is curtsy and move on to the next category.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2025

Servants and nurses curtsy to the queen as they scurry around as quietly as mice.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

At least imperial courtiers trust in strict codes about curtsies and proper titles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2025

“The lady typically curtsies, keeping her eyes up. A gentleman bows with his eyes cast down.”

From Reuters ● Aug. 21, 2018

Though curtsies are a thing of the past, the Royal Box remains a prominent part of the Centre Court pageantry.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 13, 2018

Even the midnight quadrille—for all its formality and playacting at courtly introductions—devolved for Viennese and tourists alike from an artful series of nods and curtsies into a galloping crash of champagne-soaked turns.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 8, 2016

She curtsies and makes an after-you motion with her hands.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

“He’s so polite. We appreciate that. We’re from a generation that curtsies and says please and thank you,” said Mom, who I’m certain has never curtsied.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

When they accepted the award on her behalf - as is customary for presenters- Hahn curtsied and said "I'm Michelle Williams".

From BBC ● Jan. 12, 2026

Standing in a shadowy archway on a bridge leading into Broughton Castle in Oxfordshire, England, sheep nibbling the grass below, Julianne Moore curtsied deeply, lowering her eyes before a splendidly gowned woman.

From New York Times ● Mar. 29, 2024

May curtsied to Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday afternoon and resigned.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 24, 2019

Last year the boys had to bow and the girls curtsied, but no one would bow or curtsy so they cut that out this year.

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia

Her most famous role was to present the trophies at Wimbledon, where - it was reported - she was instrumental in ending the tradition of players bowing and curtsying when passing the royal box.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2025

Meghan likens curtsying for the Queen to visiting Medieval Times.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2022

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was seen curtsying to the coffin, are among dignitaries who have already paid their respects.

From Reuters ● Sep. 18, 2022

“It’s like curtsying to the queen. There’s no law that requires it. It’s just a matter of whether or not you choose to do it,” Twomey said.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 11, 2022

Last year, Vonetta practiced her curtsying more than she practiced her wings and time steps for the Tip Top Tap recital.

From "One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia