courteous

[kur-tee-uhs]

adjective

1. having or showing good manners; polite.

   Synonyms: courtly, gracious, mannerly

courteous

/ ˈkɜːtɪəs /

adjective

1. polite and considerate in manner

Other Word Forms

• courteously adverb
• courteousness noun
• overcourteous adjective
• overcourteously adverb
• overcourteousness noun
• pseudocourteous adjective
• pseudocourteously adverb
• quasi-courteous adjective
• quasi-courteously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of courteous¹

1225–75; court + -eous; replacing Middle English co ( u ) rteis < Anglo-French; court, -ese

Word History and Origins

Origin of courteous¹

C13 corteis, literally: with courtly manners, from Old French; see _court

Synonym Study

See civil.

Example Sentences

It is not a rule to apologise for a net cord, but some players feel it courteous to do so.

From BBC

Park officials urge visitors to be patient and courteous to staff working at entrance stations and throughout the park, noting “they are here to help and ensure a safe, welcoming experience for all.”

From Los Angeles Times

Showing up, paying courteous attention and being as willing to receive as to share information are fundamental to the collaborative nature of learning.

From Los Angeles Times

He said: "He was a very affable and a courteous person, somebody who is in that kind of humility that Pope Francis has exuded over the last number of years."

From BBC

"I think the system has treated him unfairly and he's one of the nicest most courteous gentlemen that I've ever come across."

From BBC

Related Words

• affable 
• attentive 
• civil 
• civilized 
• considerate 
• courtly 
• gracious 
• polite 
• respectful 
• soft-spoken 
• thoughtful 
• well-behaved 
• well-mannered 
• well-spoken