noun

courtesy

KUR-tuh-see

noun

Polite, respectful behavior toward others.

"He held the door open out of simple courtesy."

"Basic courtesy means saying please and thank you."

adj

Given free of charge, or done as a polite gesture rather than an obligation.

"The hotel offers a courtesy shuttle to the airport."

"She got a courtesy call reminding her of the appointment."

How to Use Courtesy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPoliteness, or something offered free as a nice gesture.

Common pairings

common courtesy courtesy call courtesy of extend courtesy

courtesies plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

He held the door open out of simple _____.

From Old French curteisie/cortoisie, related to courteous, ultimately tied to "court" and the manners expected there.

cheesy heresy cutesy bluesy prophesy