curtsy
Americannoun
-
curtsies
plural
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing curtsy
One Crazy Summer
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The Benefits of Being an Octopus
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A Little Princess
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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:
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
"Because he said he would arrive at four o'clock in the afternoon. He arrived at seven o'clock, kept me standing there, practising curtsy and curtsy," she said.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2025
Penelope stood on one leg like a stork and did her best to curtsy.
From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood
“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
Then, in the manner of a servant capitulating to the whims of his liege, he curtsies toward the lens.
From New York Times ● Feb. 11, 2022
It stops with a symphony of delicate squeals, and sometimes curtsies to let people with wheelchairs and canes get out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2019
“The lady typically curtsies, keeping her eyes up. A gentleman bows with his eyes cast down.”
From Reuters ● Aug. 21, 2018
El’s music ends a few seconds before she’s actually done clogging, but she finishes and curtsies before running offstage.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
“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
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
The prime minister curtsied as she was ushered in by a royal aide for the first of what will be their regular weekly encounters.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2022
May curtsied to Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday afternoon and resigned.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 24, 2019
She curtsied a third time and took a few steps back.
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
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
After about 90 minutes of shopping for “Bridgerton” merchandise, bowing, curtsying and dancing, guests at the San Francisco event were ushered into the main ballroom.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 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
At least a hundred little elves were standing around the kitchen, beaming, bowing, and curtsying as Dobby led Harry past them.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
