discourtesy

American  

[dis-kur-tuh-see] / dɪsˈkɜr tə si /

noun

plural

discourtesies

1. lack or breach of courtesy; incivility; rudeness.

2. a discourteous or impolite act.

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discourtesy British  

/ dɪsˈkɜːtɪsɪ /

noun

1. bad manners; rudeness

2. a rude remark or act

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Etymology

Origin of discourtesy

First recorded in 1545–55; dis- ¹ + courtesy

Explanation

Discourtesy is acting in a rude or thoughtless way. If you yell orders at your restaurant server and leave him a small tip, you're treating him with extreme discourtesy. The noun discourtesy is a formal way to say "rudeness" or "disrespect." Cutting in line, interrupting others, chewing with your mouth wide open, being late for an important meeting — these are all examples of discourtesy. Courtesy means "elegance of manners" or "politeness," from a root meaning "courtly manners." When you add the prefix dis-, "the opposite of," you get discourtesy.

Example Sentences

While there was "room to dispute" the allegations, "I sincerely apologise for the great discourtesy I have caused the public," she added.

From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025

A vice foreign minister called in Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming and strongly protested what South Korea called "diplomatic discourtesy", the South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement.

From Reuters • Apr. 20, 2023

Between January 2017 and November 2020, 829 complaints, internal and external, were lodged against Tacoma police employees, most for unsatisfactory performance or discourtesy.

From Seattle Times • May 8, 2022

"I don't see it as a discourtesy to Her Majesty, just a correct if difficult decision," he wrote.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2021

Catt called the picketing “an unwarranted discourtesy to the President and a futile annoyance” to Congress.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling