courtly

[kawrt-lee, kohrt-]

adjective

courtlier, courtliest 

1. polite, refined, or elegant.

   courtly manners.

2. flattering; obsequious.

3. noting, pertaining to, or suitable for the court of a sovereign.

adverb

1. in a courtly manner; politely or flatteringly.

courtly

/ ˈkɔːtlɪ /

adjective

1. of or suitable for a royal court

2. refined in manner

3. ingratiating

Other Word Forms

• courtliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtly¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; court, -ly

Example Sentences

Here, onstage at the Paradise club in Boston, his singing has a courtly charm that makes “She’s Got a Way” feel like Joel’s version of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Irresistible” might be set in the period we know as the Victorian era, and there are royals and attendant paraphernalia, but lovers of polite courtly romances might want to steer clear.

From Los Angeles Times

The courtly gentleman guided women around the floor to big band standards with all the aplomb of teenage boys waltzing at a cotillion dance they’ve been forced to attend by their parents.

From Salon

Bertie’s romantic relations are entirely sexless, 20th-century echoes of courtly love, though throughout the oeuvre he gets engaged to at least six women by my count.

From Los Angeles Times

The life-size portrait he produced is a whiz-bang spectacle of courtly pomp and dynastic circumstance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affable 
• aristocratic 
• civilized 
• dignified 
• elegant 
• gallant 
• gracious 
• polite 
• stately