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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The son of Italian nobles, Baldassare Castiglione’s main claim to fame was writing a book of etiquette based on his experience as a courtier, a person who serves as an attendant to a king, queen, or other member of a royal family. René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026 Raphael’s father could manage people below him but also, as a courtier who wrote an entire epic about the life and exploits of Duke Federico, flatter the powerful above him. Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 An English manor with ties to not one but two queens—and a courtier best remembered for inventing the flushing toilet—lords over the countryside just outside Bath. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2026 The queen had a wry sense of humor and enjoyed Angela’s wit and her habit of playfully teasing other courtiers. Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026 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 14 May. 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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