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courtesy

courtesy

296 1.9
Polite actions or words that show respect for other people
  • noun
  • /ˈkɜːrtəsi/
translation icon : cortesía
  • It is common courtesy to hold the door open for someone who is entering a building behind you.

They teach the material and they treat the students with courtesy and respect.

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Examples

  • Thank you for your courtesy, General, but I'm afraid there isn't much time between now and 3:00.

  • You think they'd have the courtesy to invite us to dinner?

  • But I do think that, you know, it's that courtesy, it goes a long way in life.

  • I asked you here as a courtesy to let you know that I will see you in court.

  • As a courtesy to a guest of your country, release my plane as soon as possible.

  • Were these people showing him courtesy, or merely trying to make him one of them?

    Fiction book (1990)
  • They teach the material and they treat the students with courtesy and respect.

  • I was almost always treated with great courtesy, except by the chancellor, who hosted one of the banquets.

    Academic text (1999)
  • "Won't you even do me the courtesy of walking me to the gate?" he grumbled.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • You'd be surprised Mr. Conway how a little courtesy all around can help to smooth out the most complicated problems.

Synonyms

respect
vscourtesy
1.0

Polite actions or words that show you value someone

stresses short polite acts or remarks that show consideration
kindness
vscourtesy
297 1.0

Friendly and generous actions that help or comfort other people

focuses on brief respectful acts rather than general friendliness
decency
vscourtesy
155 3.0

Polite, respectful behavior that follows common social rules

is narrower, naming polite acts rather than broad moral quality
civility
vscourtesy
71 4.2

Polite and respectful words and actions toward other people

is more about single acts that show regard for others
consideration
vscourtesy
58 3.2

Thoughtful care for other people's feelings and needs

applies that regard specifically to short polite actions or remarks
decorum
vscourtesy
  • Formal
30 7.3

Polite and proper behavior in formal situations

includes such proper acts but also simple respectful remarks
politeness
vscourtesy
26 1.3

Showing good manners and respect to other people

focuses more on respect and considerate actions toward others
good manners
vscourtesy
23 1.0

Polite and respectful actions toward other people

is broader, covering single acts or brief polite words as well
niceness
vscourtesy
11 1.3

A kind and polite way of treating other people

is more specifically about acts that show respect or consideration
graciousness
vscourtesy
6 4.1

Being kind, polite, and generous to other people

is more about short respectful acts than warm generosity
cordiality
vscourtesy
2 5.7

Warm friendly behavior that makes people feel welcome

centers on polite acts that show regard rather than warm feeling
thoughtful gesture
vscourtesy
1 3.9

An action that shows care for someone

is the general behavior or remark that shows that same consideration
politesse
vscourtesy
  • Formal
1 9.9

Formal good manners and speech that shows respect for others

is similar but covers everyday polite acts, not only refined speech
respectfulness
vscourtesy
1 3.9

Polite and kind behavior toward other people's feelings and wishes

is similar but centers on acts that show respect or thought
kindliness
vscourtesy
1 3.2

Being friendly, generous, and caring to other people

is about single respectful acts or remarks rather than general giving
courteousness
vscourtesy
3.5

A polite way of behaving that shows respect for other people

is the same polite conduct expressed as a short noun phrase

Antonyms

2 5.5

Rude actions that show no respect for other people

1 4.1

Rude or disrespectful behavior toward other people

Compounds

courtesy flush
  • Informal
1 7.9

An extra toilet flush to reduce smell in a shared bathroom

How Courteous

graciousness
6 4.1
deference
34 7.8
courtesy
296 1.9
politeness
26 1.3
civility
71 4.2

Surface Forms

courtesy singular
courtesies plural

Morphology

courtesy = courteous (semi-transparent) = court + y

The noun is a regular adjective-to-noun formation from 'courteous' (+ -y), so learners who know 'courteous' will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The word courtesy comes from court, which used to mean 'a ruler's home' and the people who lived there, where polite manners were very important. So courtesy now means polite, respectful behavior, just like the good manners people showed at a royal court.