courtier

noun

cour·​tier ˈkȯr-tē-ər 

ˈkȯrt-yər, 

ˈkȯr-chər

1

: one in attendance at a royal court

2

: one who practices flattery

Examples of courtier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Influential courtiers orbited more closely than those with less gravity, and peasants weren’t part of the picture. — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

As the book continues to make headlines, Princess Diana’s butler Paul Burrell is among former courtiers who have spoken out in defense of King Charles. — Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026

According to the school’s official website, Lambrook School was first established in 1860 when Robert Burnside acquired Lambrook House with the goal of tutoring the sons of courtiers of Windsor Castle. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 15 Sep. 2026

Sir Philip Sidney, courtier, poet, and fervent Protestant soldier under Queen Elizabeth I, had been fighting Catholic Spain in the Netherlands when a bullet struck him, burying itself deep in the flesh of his thigh. — Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for courtier

• mortier
• quartier

Kids Definition

courtier

noun

court·​ier

ˈkōrt-ē-ər, 

ˈkȯrt-

1

: a person in attendance to a ruler at a royal court

2

: a person who practices flattery