curtsy

noun curt·sy \ ˈkərt-sē \

variants: or less commonly curtsey

|Updated on: 20 Jul 2018

Definition of curtsy

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

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See curtsy defined for kids

Recent Examples of curtsy from the Web

Meghan has had months of practice to get her curtsy down pat.

— jodi guglielmi, PEOPLE.com, "The Hidden Moment You May Have Missed Between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on the Palace Balcony," 12 June 2018
For men, that means greeting a royal with a bow, and for women, a small curtsy, according to the Royal household.

— maggie maloney, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle Just Experienced Her First Royal Curtsy," 18 Jan. 2018
Rather the 27 young ladies, who elegantly nailed their curtsies June 16 during California Pacific Medical Center’s 54th San Francisco Debutante Ball at the Westin St. Francis Hotel, were focused on college and philanthropy.

— catherine bigelow, SFChronicle.com, "A bumper crop of 27 debutantes make SF debut," 25 June 2018
But never fear: Meghan did curtsy to Queen Elizabeth.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "The Best Gossip From the Royal Wedding," 22 May 2018
Despite concerns and questions online about whether Meghan curtsied to Queen Elizabeth, Meghan did curtsy to Queen Elizabeth at the royal wedding ceremony on May 19.

— ashley hoffman, Time, "Yes, Meghan Markle Did Curtsy to the Queen at the Royal Wedding. Here's Why People Missed It," 19 May 2018
The British royal family may prefer a subtle genuflection, but events like debutante balls offer occasions for a more flamboyant curtsy like the Texas Dip.

— malia wollan, New York Times, "How to Curtsy," 9 May 2018
That’s why doing forward and reverse lunges (as well as lunges in other planes of motion, like lateral lunges or curtsy lunges) is an important part of a well-rounded training program.

— SELF, "Why This Lunge Series from Candace Cameron-Bure’s Trainer is Such a Good Leg Workout," 1 May 2018
With a flurry of barks and a final curtsy, Harry and Meghan bade their farewells, swiftly leaving the palace before the royal gossip factory was able to get into gear.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "What Really Happened When Meghan Markle Had Tea with the Queen," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'curtsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of curtsy

1533

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

curtsy

verb

variants: or less commonly curtsey

Definition of curtsy

curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying

intransitive verb

: to make a curtsy

Recent Examples of curtsy from the Web

After curtsying to the monarch during the the royal procession alongside her daughter Princess Beatrice and her ex-husband, the 58-year-old was photographed chatting with the Queen.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "Back in the Fold, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, Spent Ascot in the Royal Box," 22 June 2018
There’s even video of Meghan (and Kate and Prince Harry) curtsying to Queen Elizabeth.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "Meghan Markle and the Rest of the Royals Celebrate the Queen’s Birthday," 9 June 2018
Royal biographer Indgrid Seward pointed out that the bride and Prince Harry were slated to bow and curtsy to the Queen after the national anthem in the ceremony, but some people didn't seem to spot it.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Don't Worry, Meghan Markle Did Curtsy to the Queen at the Royal Wedding," 23 May 2018
Despite concerns and questions online about whether Meghan curtsied to Queen Elizabeth, Meghan did curtsy to Queen Elizabeth at the royal wedding ceremony on May 19.

— ashley hoffman, Time, "Yes, Meghan Markle Did Curtsy to the Queen at the Royal Wedding. Here's Why People Missed It," 19 May 2018
As seen above, both Markle and her soon-to-be sister-in-law Duchess Kate curtsied to the Queen outside St. Mary Magdalene church.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Meghan Markle Makes Her First Public Curtsy on Christmas Day," 25 Dec. 2017
While leaving this afternoon's Commonwealth Day service, Meghan Markle met several adorable children, one of whom gave her a bouquet of flowers and appears to have curtsied while greeting her.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "An Adorable Little Girl Just Curtsied Like a Total Pro For Meghan Markle," 12 Mar. 2018
Tiffany Haddish just jumped in front of Meryl Streep on the #Oscars carpet and curtsied pic.twitter.com/uqGTqRGW1b — Mia Galuppo (@miagaluppo) March 5, 2018 Haddish also said something to Streep, but the words were unfortunately indecipherable.

— amanda arnold, The Cut, "Tiffany Haddish Curtsied For Meryl Streep on Red Carpet," 4 Mar. 2018
Now’s your chance to curtsy to the queen and princess at a royal greeting inside the Arendelle castle at the Disney Animation building on Hollywood Boulevard.

— Sunset, "5 Ways to Get Your Frozen Fix at Disneyland Resort," 22 Jan. 2018

Origin and Etymology of curtsy

alteration of courtesy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1553

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

CURTSY Defined for English Language Learners

curtsy

noun

Definition of curtsy for English Language Learners

: a formal way of greeting an important person (such as a king or queen) in which a woman shows respect by placing one foot slightly behind the other and bending her knees