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

Once there, the Princess of Wales greeted Queen Camilla with a kiss on each cheek, followed by a curtsy. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Mar. 2026

Grant Harrold served the then-Prince Charles from 2004 to 2011, and spoke of Camilla’s recent engagement at the cancer care charity Maggie’s on January 21—where she was greeted with a hug and a kiss, rather than a curtsy—as a sign that times are a’ changing in the royal family. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 23 Jan. 2026

Verb

As the crowd cheered, Briggs said, the chief put two $1 bills in the officer’s pockets then bowed or curtsied. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026

While greeting the Queen, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner gave the Queen a kiss on both cheeks rather than curtsying. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 23 Jan. 2026

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