noun
curtsey
KURT-see
Curtsey (noun) means a small bow, usually made by a woman or girl, in which the knees are briefly bent as a mark of respect. Example: “She made a neat curtsey when the Queen came past.”
noun
1
A small bow, usually made by a woman or girl, in which the knees are briefly bent as a mark of respect.
"She made a neat curtsey when the Queen came past."
"The little girl gave a shy curtsey at the end of the dance."
"A curtsey is still expected in some formal settings."
verb
1
To make a small bow with bent knees as a mark of respect.
"The pupils curtseyed to the visiting duchess."
"She curtseyed and then stepped back."
"He never learned to curtsey gracefully."
How to use curtsey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small bow with bent knees, showing respect.
When to use it
It belongs to formal or ceremonial settings.
Memory tip
The verb forms are curtseys or curtsies, and curtseyed for the past.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
make a curtsey
drop a curtsey
a low curtsey
curtsey to the Queen
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She made a neat _____ when the Queen came past.
Etymology
Curtsey began as a variant of courtesy, recorded in 1525. That word came through Middle English from Anglo-Norman and Old French.
Synonyms
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curtsy
Related words
Rhymes for curtsey
See all rhymes for curtsey →Frequently asked questions
How do you spell curtsey?
Curtsey and curtsy are both accepted spellings. Curtsy is the more common form.
Is curtsey the same as courtesy?
No. Curtsey began as a variant of courtesy, but today it usually means the bow, while courtesy means polite behaviour.
What is the plural of curtsey?
The plural is curtsies or curtseys.
What is the meaning of curtsey?
"curtsey" (noun) means a small bow, usually made by a woman or girl, in which the knees are briefly bent as a mark of respect.
