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

Minogue seemed genuinely overwhelmed by the audience’s response, covering her face with her hands and doing a little curtsy. —Eric Webb, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Many came away feeling the mock curtsy had disrespected a long-standing British tradition, and the fact that the queen had died three months earlier no doubt did not help. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025

Verb

Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, 35, might be a princess herself, but royals are known to bow or curtsy when greeting the King or Queen as a sign of respect. —Stephanie Petit, People.com, 20 June 2025

The ballerina curtsies and rushes offstage into the arms of friends – friends who are also her competition. —Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 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