common courtesy
noun
: politeness that people can usually be expected to show
He didn't even have the common courtesy to say goodbye when he left.
Examples of common courtesy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is a common courtesy extended to legends and top-tier talent.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
This is not just a common courtesy; the absence of a response is a surefire way to alienate your customer base and send them straight to competitors.
—Michael Podolsky, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
On a recent flight from Seattle to Dallas, Rachel Wagner had the misfortune of sitting next to a passenger who seemed oblivious to the concept of common courtesy.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
An offer of a handshake is not a common courtesy inside.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2025
Hayes firmly validated the woman's anger at Jake repeatedly using her bathroom, calling his actions a violation of common courtesy and respect.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
For the sake of common courtesy, North Americans used to their wide-open spaces and large personal space bubbles need to be spatially aware.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2025
Turns out the original poster isn't alone, and this lack of common courtesy happens elsewhere as well.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 20 Jan. 2025
In these unsettling times when common sense, common decency and common courtesy is anything but common, perhaps a brief refresher on beach etiquette would be well advised?
—Steve Cambria, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2024
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.
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
This is not just a common courtesy; the absence of a response is a surefire way to alienate your customer base and send them straight to competitors.
—Michael Podolsky, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
On a recent flight from Seattle to Dallas, Rachel Wagner had the misfortune of sitting next to a passenger who seemed oblivious to the concept of common courtesy.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
An offer of a handshake is not a common courtesy inside.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2025
Hayes firmly validated the woman's anger at Jake repeatedly using her bathroom, calling his actions a violation of common courtesy and respect.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
For the sake of common courtesy, North Americans used to their wide-open spaces and large personal space bubbles need to be spatially aware.
—Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2025
Turns out the original poster isn't alone, and this lack of common courtesy happens elsewhere as well.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 20 Jan. 2025
In these unsettling times when common sense, common decency and common courtesy is anything but common, perhaps a brief refresher on beach etiquette would be well advised?
—Steve Cambria, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Common courtesy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common%20courtesy. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share