Courtesy — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈkər-tə-sē/ cour·te·sy

Meaning & Definition of Courtesy

Courtesy (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

Courtesy (adjective)

  1. granted, provided, or performed as a courtesy or by way of courtesy

Courtesy (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  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 Courtesy

The most common words with a similar meaning to Courtesy:

benevolence, boon, favor, grace, indulgence, kindness, mercy, service, turn, amenity, attention, civility, formality, gesture, pleasantry, politeness, courteousness, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Courtesy

Words with the opposite meaning of Courtesy:

discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness, ungraciousness

Related Words for Courtesy

dispensation, waiver, advantage, benefit, blessing, godsend, manna, liberty, license, privilege, honors, ceremony, observance, rite, ritual, decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, kindliness, protocol, rules, attentiveness

Near Antonyms of Courtesy

hindrance, hurdle, impediment, interference, obstacle, 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

Word Forms of Courtesy

Inflections: courtesies

Origin & Etymology of Courtesy

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

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Courtesy

Words & Phrases Containing Courtesy

courtesy card, courtesy title, courtesy call, courtesy phone, senatorial courtesy, common courtesy

Frequently Asked Questions about Courtesy

What does "Courtesy" mean?

"Courtesy" means behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others, courteous behavior. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others, courteous behavior. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Courtesy"?

Other words for "Courtesy" include benevolence, boon, favor, grace, indulgence, kindness, mercy and service. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Courtesy" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Courtesy"?

There are 90 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Courtesy". Common alternatives include benevolence, boon, favor, grace, indulgence, kindness, mercy, service, turn and amenity.

What is the opposite of "Courtesy"?

Antonyms of "Courtesy" include discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness and ungraciousness. Near antonyms include hindrance, hurdle, impediment and interference.

How do you use "Courtesy" in a sentence?

Examples of "Courtesy" 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"; "a woman who responds to every situation with courtesy and kindness".

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

"Courtesy" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Courtesy" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Courtesy" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Courtesy"?

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