curtsy

noun

curt·sy | \ ˈkərt-sē

variants: or less commonly curtsey

plural curtsies also curtseys

Definition of curtsy

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

verb

variants: or less commonly curtsey

curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying

Definition of curtsy (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to make a curtsy

Examples of curtsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

First spotted by Elle, cameras caught the Duchess giving the birthday girl a perfect curtsy and big smile. — Lindsay Schallon, Glamour, "Kate Middleton Had a Sweet Moment With the Queen at Easter Service," 21 Apr. 2019 Getty ImagesUK Press Pool Here's last year's curtsy, for comparison. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Shared a Sweet Sign of Affection at the Royal Christmas Service," 26 Dec. 2018 When the Queen was seen walking through the doors of the abbey, Meghan (in white) was seen lowering herself into a curtsy, then Kate (in red) followed. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Curtsy to the Queen in Westminster Abbey," 11 Mar. 2019 Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton showed off perfect matching curtsies on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on Saturday. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, "See the Moment Meghan and Kate Perfectly Curtsy to the Queen on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace," 9 June 2018 Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton displayed perfect curtsies to the Queen during the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Curtsy to the Queen in Westminster Abbey," 11 Mar. 2019 There was also an adorable moment when the Ambassador’s two young daughters presented the royal couple with a bouquet—and a curtsy. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "The Standout Moments From Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Whirlwind Morocco Tour," 25 Feb. 2019 For example, when the couple joined the rest of the royal family in attending the Trooping the Colour celebration in June, Prince Harry could be seen telling Markle when to curtsy. — Andrea Park, Glamour, "Meghan Markle Is Reportedly Finding Some Royal Rules 'A Little Frustrating'," 18 July 2018 The reverse lunges in particular work your quads and glutes; the curtsy lunges hit the outside of your glutes; and the lateral lunges target your inner thigh muscles, says Oprea. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "All You Need Is a Pair of Socks to Do This 15-Minute Total-Body Workout From Carrie Underwood’s Trainer," 13 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Meghan and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (in dark purple) curtsied first, then Kate followed once the Queen turned to her. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Curtsy to the Queen in Westminster Abbey," 11 Mar. 2019 Once Her Majesty entered the building, Kate, Meghan, and Duchess Camilla were seen curtsying to the sovereign as a sign of respect. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Curtsy to the Queen in Westminster Abbey," 11 Mar. 2019 The New York Times reports that both the president and First Lady Melania Trump forgot to bow and curtsy when meeting Queen Elizabeth II, as is customary. — Emily Wang, Glamour, "Donald Trump Reportedly Broke Royal Protocol Multiple Times When Meeting With Queen Elizabeth II," 16 July 2018 Also, at the sight of any royalties, be ready to curtsy or bow. — Jessica Pan, The Cut, "The 10 Most Bizarre Royal Etiquette Rules," 17 May 2018 Once William is on the throne as King, and his wife Kate becomes Queen Consort, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be expected to bow and curtsy to them at all formal events as a sign of respect for their new titles and roles in the monarchy. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "This is When Meghan Markle Will Have to Start Curtsying to Her Close Friend, Kate Middleton," 22 Aug. 2018 Getty ImagesAnwar Hussein Collection Kate immediately curtsied to Will, which is fair since that's technically how she was supposed to greet royalty. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Prince William and Kate Middleton's First Meeting Was Intensely Awkward," 18 Aug. 2018 Per the royal family's handbook, when greeting a member of the royal household (especially the Queen) men are supposed to bow with their neck and women are to politely curtsy. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "10 Ways the Royal Family Has Majorly Broken Royal Protocol," 3 Aug. 2018 In addition to Queen Elizabeth, Myka Meier, founder and director of Beaumont Etiquette, says Meghan will be expected to curtsy to Prince Philip, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, "See the Moment Meghan and Kate Perfectly Curtsy to the Queen on the Balcony of Buckingham Palace," 9 June 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about curtsy

Dictionary Entries near curtsy

Curtius

Curtius rearrangement

Statistics for curtsy

Last Updated

24 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for curtsy

The first known use of curtsy was in 1533

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for curtsy

curtsy

noun

English Language Learners Definition of curtsy

: 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

See the full definition for curtsy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

curtsy

verb

curt·sy

variants: also curtsey \ ˈkərt-sē \

curtsied also curtseyed; curtsying also curtseying