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

In a video taken at the King’s Gallery by Daily Mail reporter Rebecca English, Chatto and King Charles are seen greeting each other with a double cheek kiss, before Sarah dips into a curtsy for her cousin. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Apr. 2026

In a video taken at the King's Gallery by Daily Mail reporter Rebecca English, Lady Sarah Chatto and King Charles could be seen greeting each other with a double cheek kiss, before Sarah dipped into a curtsy for her first cousin. —Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

Verb

Even members of the royal family with titles like prince and princess are known to bow or curtsy to greet the monarch and their spouse. —Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

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

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