curtsy

1 of 2

noun

curt·​sy ˈkərt-sē 

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

Noun

While the royal family's website says that there are no obligatory codes of behavior for meeting King Charles, Queen Camilla or other royals, the traditional forms of address are a small curtsy for women and a neck bow for men. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

The formal obligation to bow or curtsy will force targets to bend a knee and break eye contact—a perfect opening for the President to place something distracting like a Twix bar on their heads. —Dahlia Gallin Ramirez, New Yorker, 9 June 2026

Verb

The British royals, even those with titles, are known to bow or curtsy to the monarch and consort — even Prince William and Prince Harry have been seen bowing to their father, King Charles, since his accession. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

Puzzles & Games Today’s Crossword Puzzle: Joint used when curtsying—four letters. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for curtsy

• curtsey

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