courteous
Americanadjective
adjective
Related Words
See civil.
Other Word Forms
- courteously adverb
- courteousness noun
- overcourteous adjective
- overcourteously adverb
- overcourteousness noun
- pseudocourteous adjective
- pseudocourteously adverb
- quasi-courteous adjective
- quasi-courteously adverb
Etymology
Origin of courteous
1225–75; court + -eous; replacing Middle English co ( u ) rteis < Anglo-French; court, -ese
Explanation
If you are courteous, your good manners show friendliness and concern for others, like your courteous habit of holding the door for people entering a building with you. The adjective courteous comes from the Old French word curteis, which means “having courtly bearing or manners.” Courtly described the court — nobles who hung around the castle, the entourage of kings and queens. Their refined manners, not to mention their wealth and power, set them apart from the masses. So courteous behavior is a reminder of the value of good manners.
Vocabulary lists containing courteous
The Diary of Anne Frank
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Be Nice!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
More Positive Words to Describe a Person
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unless perhaps it’s the most courteous thing you can do for fellow players?
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
Remember to be a courteous visitor when viewing wildflowers.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026
Bridger was described by those who knew him as "always confident, courteous and charming" but when police seized his computer, a sordid secret was revealed.
From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026
While we should all try to be courteous and get along, part of maturity is realizing that you won’t click with everyone.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026
The detectives were courteous and never showed impatience, despite having to make the same introductions and tell the same story over and over again.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
