curtsy

or curt·sey

[ kurt-see ]

noun

plural curtsies.

1. a respectful bow made by women and girls, consisting of bending the knees and lowering the body.

verb (used without object)

curtsied, curtsying.

1. to make a curtsy.

curtsy

/ ˈkɜːtsɪ /

noun

1. a formal gesture of greeting and respect made by women in which the knees are bent, the head slightly bowed, and the skirt held outwards

verb

1. intr to make a curtsy

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtsy¹

First recorded in 1520–30; variant of courtesy

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtsy¹

C16: variant of courtesy

Example Sentences

"I curtsied. Why did I? I don't know... but we got on like a house on fire."

From BBC

All you can do is curtsy and move on to the next category.

From Los Angeles Times

His wife Sarah Williams, purchasing manager, said she spent much of Sunday practising her curtsy and making sure she knew how to address the King properly.

From BBC

One employee weeps with glee upon meeting him, and others curtsy when he walks into their office.

From New York Times

She spun around when she reached the prince, curtsied to Jack, then sat down and stuck out her tongue.

From Literature