curtsy

noun curt·sy \ ˈkərt-sē \

variants: or less commonly curtsey

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

See curtsy defined for English-language learners

See curtsy defined for kids

Recent Examples of curtsy from the Web

For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy.

— amanda erickson, Washington Post, "A top Canadian official just committed a serious faux pas by touching the queen," 20 July 2017
Kick your right leg off to the right side and go back to the curtsy lunge and do the same on the reverse side.

— nicole saunders, Billboard, "Shakira's Hips (And Abs) Don't Lie: How to Get The Singer's Rock Hard Core," 20 July 2017
In Warsaw, as the royal family had boarded their departing plane, Princess Charlotte had seemingly executed a tiny, yet perfect, curtsy—albeit while no one was watching.

— madeleine luckel, Vogue, "It’s Official—Prince George and Princess Charlotte Stole the Spotlight on the Royals’ Trip to Europe," 20 July 2017
Do a squat, then a reverse curtsy lunge with your left leg.

— joanne kempinger demski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Short on time? These exercise routines are for you," 10 May 2017
Then, keeping your shoulders stacked over your hips, bend both knees 90 degrees to lower into a curtsy squat.

— elizabeth narins, Cosmopolitan, "5 Moves for Sexier Thighs In Minutes," 28 June 2016

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

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 an all-star showing on Wednesday (accepting flowers, shaking hands, and discretely curtsying), poor Charlotte broke into tears after taking a tumble on the jetway.

— madeleine luckel, Vogue, "Prince George Visits a Helicopter in Hamburg, Germany, Embodies Friday Feels Everywhere," 21 July 2017
Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney), who is recuperating from wounds suffered in the takeover of Poland, and lovely maid Mieke de Jong (Lily James), who delights Wilhelm with her shy, curtsying charm.

— colin covert, idahostatesman, "Script hinders promise of ‘The Exception’," 29 June 2017
Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney), who is recuperating from wounds suffered in the takeover of Poland, and lovely maid Mieke de Jong (Lily James), who delights Wilhelm with her shy, curtsying charm.

— colin covert, star-telegram.com, "‘The Exception’ is not as exceptional as it should be," 29 June 2017
The ceremony basically involves a big-ass gold chain and medallion, and during Trump’s acceptance of the Slick Rick Medal of Valor, the overload of evil bent his old, arthritic knees and curtsied for the king.

— stephen a. crockett jr., The Root, "TrumPutin Has Lost His Mind During Overseas Trip," 22 May 2017
BEIJING — Like ghosts floating in a dim netherworld, the dancers twirled, spun and curtsied in smog so dense that couples a few steps away seemed to be murky apparitions suspended in a gray haze.

— chris buckley and adam wu, New York Times, "Chinese Defy Pollution, a Stubborn Visitor," 6 Jan. 2017

Origin and Etymology of curtsy

alteration of courtesy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1553

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