Courtesies — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkər-tə-sē/ cour·te·sy

Meaning & Definition of Courtesies

Courtesies (noun)

  1. behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others, courteous behavior
  2. a courteous and respectful act or expression
  3. general allowance despite facts, indulgence
  4. a custom of the U.S. Senate of refusing to confirm a presidential appointment of an official in or from a state when the appointment is opposed by the senators or senior senator of the president's party from that state

Courtesies (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an act of kind assistance

    "did me the courtesy of loaning me his jacket"

    similar: benevolences, boons, favors, graces, indulgences, mercies, services, turns
    related: dispensations, waivers, advantages, benefits, blessings, godsends, mannas, liberties, licenses, privileges
    near: hindrances, hurdles, impediments, interferences, obstacles

  2. an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners

    "the greeting How are you? is often intended as no more than a courtesy"

    similar: amenities, attentions, civilities, formalities, gestures, pleasantries
    related: honors, ceremonies, observances, rites, rituals, decorums, etiquettes, forms, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, favors, graces, protocols, rules

Related Entry: Courtesy (noun)

Courtesy is a different word from Courtesies. The synonyms below are for courtesy, not for courtesies.

  1. an act of kind assistance

    "did me the courtesy of loaning me his jacket"

    similar: benevolence, boon, favor, grace, indulgence, kindness, mercy, service, turn
    related: dispensation, waiver, advantage, benefit, blessing, godsend, manna, liberty, license, privilege
    near: hindrance, hurdle, impediment, interference, obstacle

  2. an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners

    "the greeting How are you? is often intended as no more than a courtesy"

    similar: amenity, attention, civility, formality, gesture, pleasantry, politeness
    related: honors, ceremony, observance, rite, ritual, decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, favor, grace, kindliness, kindness, protocol, rules

  3. speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding

    "a woman who responds to every situation with courtesy and kindness"

    similar: civility, courteousness, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, politeness
    related: attentiveness, consideration, thoughtfulness, ceremonialness, ceremoniousness, ceremony, formality, chivalrousness, chivalry, courtliness, gallantry, gentlemanliness, knighthood, knightliness, breeding, manners, suaveness, unctuousness, urbanity, elegance, refinement, deference, respect, decency, decorousness, decorum, gentilesse, polish, politesse, propriety, respectability, seemliness, affability, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, hospitality, sociability, felicitousness, gracefulness, humility, meekness, modesty, shyness
    opposite: discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness, ungraciousness
    near: audaciousness, audacity, boldness, brashness, brassiness, disrespect, impertinence, impudence, insolence, sauciness, shamelessness, boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, loutishness, vulgarity, casualness, informality, delinquency, improperness, impropriety, inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness, arrogance, conceit, presumption, pretentiousness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Courtesies

The most common words with a similar meaning to Courtesies:

benevolences, boons, favors, graces, indulgences, mercies, services, turns, amenities, attentions, civilities, formalities, gestures, pleasantries

Related Words for Courtesies

dispensations, waivers, advantages, benefits, blessings, godsends, mannas, liberties, licenses, privileges, honors, ceremonies, observances, rites, rituals, decorums, etiquettes, forms, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, protocols, rules

Near Antonyms of Courtesies

hindrances, hurdles, impediments, interferences, obstacles

Origin & Etymology of Courtesies

Middle English corteisie, from Anglo-French curteisie, from curteis see courteous

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Courtesies

What does "Courtesies" mean?

"Courtesies" means behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others, courteous behavior. As a noun, it is defined as: behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others, courteous behavior. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Courtesies"?

Other words for "Courtesies" include benevolences, boons, favors, graces, indulgences, mercies, services and turns. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Courtesies" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Courtesies"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Courtesies". Common alternatives include benevolences, boons, favors, graces, indulgences, mercies, services, turns, amenities and attentions.

How do you use "Courtesies" in a sentence?

Examples of "Courtesies" in a sentence: "did me the courtesy of loaning me his jacket"; "the greeting How are you? is often intended as no more than a courtesy".

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

"Courtesies" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Courtesies"?

"Courtesies" is pronounced /ˈkər-tə-sē/ and divided into syllables as cour·te·sy.

What is the origin of the word "Courtesies"?

"Courtesies" comes from Middle English corteisie, from Anglo-French curteisie, from curteis see courteous. First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Courtesies" meaning "an act of kind assistance"?

When "Courtesies" (noun) means an act of kind assistance, synonyms include benevolences, boons, favors, graces, indulgences and mercies.