courtesy

noun

cour·te·sy | \ˈkər-tə-sē,

British also ˈkȯ-\

plural courtesies

Definition of courtesy

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : behavior marked by polished manners or respect for others : courteous behavior

b : a courteous and respectful act or expression

2a : general allowance despite facts : indulgence hills called mountains by courtesy only

b : consideration, cooperation, and generosity in providing something (such as a gift or privilege) also : agency, means —used chiefly in the phrases through the courtesy of or by courtesy of or sometimes simply courtesy of

courtesy

adjective

cour·te·sy | \ˈkər-tə-sē,

British also ˈkȯ-\

Definition of courtesy (Entry 2 of 2)

: granted, provided, or performed as a courtesy or by way of courtesy (see courtesy entry 1) made a courtesy call on the ambassador

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about courtesy

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Examples of courtesy in a Sentence

Noun

Civilized life cannot be sustained without hypocrisy. A certain moral code, a degree of courtesy and decorum, are necessary to keep our instincts under a modicum of control. — Ian Buruma, New York Review of Books, 2 Nov. 2006 Cara, who, courtesy of the cat, had a run in her leggings, picked up the phone in a panic … — Helen Schulman, Wigwag, November 1990 "Coffee, sir?" asked a sailor. I nodded, still chilled. The courtesy, the ordinariness of these men was in the context somehow curious. — Fred Reed, Harper's, September 1988 I tried to persuade him that all that Hamish Hamilton had attempted to do was to extend the kind of courtesies which cultural institutions thought to be his due. — Isaiah Berlin, New York Times Book Review, 12 Apr. 1987 They treated us with courtesy and kindness. She did it as a courtesy, not because she had to. Everyone knows each other here, so we won't bother with the usual courtesies. They shook hands and exchanged courtesies before beginning their discussion.

Adjective

As the heir to an earldom, Stephen was obliged to pay a courtesy call on the British ambassador … — Ken Follett, The Man from St. Petersburg, 1982 Important visitors to the conference were provided with courtesy cars.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the biggest horror movie opening came courtesy of 2017's It, which garnered a whopping $123.4 million in its first few days in theaters. — Andrea Park, Glamour, "Jamie Lee Curtis Can't Help Bragging About Halloween's Record-Breaking Opening Weekend," 22 Oct. 2018 Even though Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have HRHs in front of their names, their children will not necessarily inherit the same courtesy. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are Expecting Their First Child," 15 Oct. 2018 Enter Oskar’s Slider Bar, a new addition to the restaurant scene courtesy of two industry veterans. — Lindsey Mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "Oskar's fills a food void in Louisville we didn't know we had | Review," 4 July 2018 The annual Red, Hot & Boom in Altamonte Springs has the courtesy to hold its festivities on Tuesday, giving people who have Wednesday off the chance to sleep in. — Trevor Fraser, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Fireworks still a good reason to gather," 28 June 2018 President Trump did the courtesy to Justin Trudeau to travel up to Quebec for that summit. — Jim Puzzanghera, latimes.com, "White House officials accuse Canadian leader of 'stab in the back,' intensifying fight with U.S. ally," 10 June 2018 For her hair, Grande forgoes her signature ponytail and brunette shade for a long dirty blonde mane, the color courtesy of Chris Appleton. — Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE.com, "Pete Davidson Gushes Over Ariana Grande's Ponytail-Free Vogue U.K. Cover: 'I'm the Luckiest'," 5 June 2018 Get all the weather details courtesy of Channel 2 Action News. — Shane Harrison, ajc, "Things to do in Atlanta today (and this weekend)," 4 May 2018 His music is as magnetic as his stage presence, swelling to 60-foot crescendos courtesy of his large and massively talented band. — Jeffrey Lee Puckett, The Courier-Journal, "Miss Day 1 of Forecastle? No worries, here are 5 things you missed!," 14 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The residents of Camp Shinnecock could hop in their courtesy cars and reach the players’ parking lot in 30 seconds. — Karen Crouse, New York Times, "By Land or by Sea, U.S. Open Golfers Got Creative About Their Lodging," 16 June 2018 Ehling missed the tag and Gulley got back safely, while courtesy runner Casey Greene stayed at third, and the bases were loaded. — James Weber, Cincinnati.com, "Highlands baseball, Drew Rom hold off McCracken in state baseball semifinals," 16 June 2018 The Dragons extended their lead to 4-0 in the second with an RBI double from Cade Bell that scored courtesy runner Jaxon Osterberg. — Brian Gosset, star-telegram, "Warden, Southlake Carroll dominate to win 6A state title," 9 June 2018 Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% 0:00 / 0:42 Watch killer footage of killer whales off coast of Monterey Advertisement Killer whales swim off the Monterey coast in May 2018 in this video courtesy Monterey Bay Whale Watch . — Don Sweeney, sacbee, "Watch 1,500 dolphins frolic with baby humpback whale off California in aerial video," 3 June 2018 Watson then hit his triple that allowed Sunseri and Stephen Perry, a courtesy runner, to score. — Justin Maskulinski, Houston Chronicle, "The Woodlands takes down Round Rock, advances to state tourney," 1 June 2018 Photos courtesy of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty A crisp Donald Wexler midcentury modern is up for sale in that sunny California enclave of Palm Springs. — Lauren Ro, Curbed, "Nab this Donald Wexler midcentury pad in Palm Springs for $725K," 29 May 2018 But a courtesy runner was caught in a rundown for an out after a grounder to third. — Michael Osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Towle in tow: Junior slugger Jenna Towle's two-run double sparks Lake Central past Lowell in sectional," 23 May 2018 Catcher Desi Gomez blooped a single to right field and was replaced by courtesy runner Carly Oldfield, who was plated by a base hit to center field by third baseman Bene Snyder. — Jeff Tully, latimes.com, "Four-run first too much for Burbank softball to overcome in playoff loss," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'courtesy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.