curtsy

1 of 2

noun

curt·​sy ˈkərt-sē How to pronounce curtsy (audio)
variants or less commonly curtsey
plural curtsies also curtseys
: an act of civility, respect, or reverence made mainly by women and consisting of a slight lowering of the body with bending of the knees

curtsy

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly curtsey
curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying

intransitive verb

: to make a curtsy

Examples of curtsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
What makes the saga particularly bizarre is that Prince Harry gave a very different description of the curtsy in his book Spare. Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 In one frame, Tarek appears to hold his fist up in greeting to someone out of frame, while Christina bends over in a gesture that could be a curtsy, with a big grin on her face. Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
The TikTok post then pivots to Kate's curtsy to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during her wedding to Prince William in April 2011, again at the abbey followed by Kate and Meghan curtsying to the queen at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2018. Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 At least one enthusiastic Netflix insider, though, continues to curtsy for the couple. Benjamin Svetkey and Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for curtsy

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of courtesy

First Known Use

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1553, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of curtsy was in 1533

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Curtsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curtsy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

curtsy

1 of 2 noun
curt·​sy
variants also curtsey
ˈkərt-sē
plural curtsies also curtseys
: a bow made especially by women that consists of a slight lowering of the body and bending of the knees

curtsy

2 of 2 verb
variants also curtsey
curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying
: to make a curtsy

More from Merriam-Webster on curtsy

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