curtsy

1 of 2

noun

curt·​sy ˈkərt-sē 

variants or less commonly curtsey

plural curtsies also curtseys

: an act of civility, respect, or reverence made mainly by women and consisting of a slight lowering of the body with bending of the knees

curtsy

2 of 2

verb

variants or less commonly curtsey

curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying

intransitive verb

: to make a curtsy

Examples of curtsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has similarly dropped into deep curtsies when meeting other sovereigns on trips abroad. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025

Not all bows and curtsies But the visit may not all be royal- and heritage-themed niceties, bows and curtsies. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025

Verb

However, the second time around, people are noting that there’s actually no official rule about curtsying or bowing when meeting members of the British royal family. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 24 Sep. 2025

All members of the royal family, including those with His/Her Royal Highness (HRH) titles such as Princess Kate, bow or curtsy to the monarch and his wife when greeting them for the first time in a while — even his own children! —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of courtesy

First Known Use

Noun

1533, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1553, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for curtsy

• curtsey

Kids Definition

curtsy

1 of 2 noun

curt·​sy

variants also curtsey

ˈkərt-sē

plural curtsies also curtseys

: a bow made especially by women that consists of a slight lowering of the body and bending of the knees

curtsy

2 of 2 verb

variants also curtsey

curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying

: to make a curtsy