Courteous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈkər-tē-əs/ cour·te·ous

Meaning & Definition of Courteous

Courteous (adjective)

  1. marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court
  2. marked by respect for and consideration of others

Courteous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners

    "their customer service department always gives courteous responses, even to rude people"

    similar: civil, genteel, gracious, mannerly, polite, well-bred
    related: attentive, careful, considerate, nice, solicitous, thoughtful, chivalrous, civilized, courtly, gallant, gentlemanlike, gentlemanly, ladylike, ceremonial, ceremonious, red-carpet, couth, formal, smooth, suave, unctuous, urbane, elegant, refined, deferential, dutiful, respectful, submissive, yielding, acceptable, appropriate, becoming, befitting, comme il faut, correct, decent, decorous, fit, fitting, good, meet, proper, respectable, right, seemly, suitable, affable, cordial, friendly, genial, hospitable, pleasant, sociable, felicitous, graceful, demure, humble, meek, modest, unassertive
    opposite: discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, inconsiderate, mannerless, rude, thoughtless, uncivil, ungenteel, ungracious, unmannered, unmannerly
    near: heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassy, disrespectful, impertinent, impudent, insolent, lippy, saucy, shameless, boorish, churlish, clodhopping, clownish, loutish, uncouth, vulgar, casual, informal, unceremonious, improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, uncalled-for, unrespectable, unseemly, arrogant, conceited, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Courteous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Courteous:

civil, genteel, gracious, mannerly, polite, well-bred

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Courteous

Words with the opposite meaning of Courteous:

discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, inconsiderate, mannerless, rude, thoughtless, uncivil, ungenteel, ungracious, unmannered, unmannerly

Related Words for Courteous

attentive, careful, considerate, nice, solicitous, thoughtful, chivalrous, civilized, courtly, gallant, gentlemanlike, gentlemanly, ladylike, ceremonial, ceremonious, red-carpet, couth, formal, smooth, suave, unctuous, urbane, elegant, refined, deferential, dutiful, respectful, submissive, yielding, acceptable

Near Antonyms of Courteous

heedless, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassy, disrespectful, impertinent, impudent, insolent, lippy, saucy, shameless, boorish, churlish, clodhopping, clownish, loutish, uncouth, vulgar, casual, informal, unceremonious, improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, uncalled-for, unrespectable

Word Forms of Courteous

Derived words: courteously (adverb), courteousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Courteous

Middle English corteis, from Anglo-French curteis, from curt

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Courteous

What does "Courteous" mean?

"Courteous" means marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court. As an adjective, it is defined as: marked by polished manners, gallantry, or ceremonial usage of a court.

What is another word for "Courteous"?

Other words for "Courteous" include civil, genteel, gracious, mannerly, polite and well-bred. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Courteous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Courteous"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Courteous". Common alternatives include civil, genteel, gracious, mannerly, polite and well-bred.

What is the opposite of "Courteous"?

Antonyms of "Courteous" include discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, inconsiderate, mannerless, rude and thoughtless. Near antonyms include heedless, audacious, bold and bold-faced.

How do you use "Courteous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Courteous" in a sentence: "their customer service department always gives courteous responses, even to rude people".

Is "Courteous" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Courteous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Courteous"?

"Courteous" is pronounced /ˈkər-tē-əs/ and divided into syllables as cour·te·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Courteous"?

"Courteous" comes from Middle English corteis, from Anglo-French curteis, from curt. First known use: 13th century.