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

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

Harry has repeatedly suggested that senior courtiers can exert significant influence over the sovereign. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Most of the players immediately adopt exaggerated foppish courtier characters, complete with hoity-toity accents and hyperbolic graciousness. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Already a working royal, Alexandra married businessman and courtier Sir Angus Ogilvy in 1963. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 12 June 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