curtsy

American  

[kurt-see] / ˈkɜrt si /

Or curtsey

noun

plural

curtsies

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

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

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

She took the daughters to swimming lessons, taught them to curtsy and helped arrange membership for them in the Brownies and Girl Guides.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 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

“Do not forget to bow or curtsy after your selection. Mothers, ten minutes.”

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly