courtier

noun

cour·​tier ˈkȯr-tē-ər How to pronounce courtier (audio)
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
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Following Prince Albert’s death, Queen Victoria made mourning jewelry de rigeur among British courtiers. Ari Stark, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026 The ensuing story—consisting entirely of letters among artists, courtiers, and religious leaders—is a wild ride through the politics and intrigue of Renaissance Italy that incorporates real historical figures. Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026 Antonia Fraser writes in Marie Antoinette: The Journey: There was a big crowd of courtiers paying their respects. Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 11 Feb. 2026 Navarro’s transformation from professor to courtier was immediate. Ian Parker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for courtier

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of courtier was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Courtier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courtier. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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

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