as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of courtly
The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation.
—
Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
In France, a courtlier breed of tooth pullers began to cater to the affluent in the late seventeenth century.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Tea kettles, rolling pins, tableware, even shower curtains are all adorned in their ubiquitous courtly check, adding a dose of whimsy to any corner of your home.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 July 2025
Inside the feudal fortress, decorative interiors include frescoes credited to Benedetto Bembo, such as Camera d’Oro, a room that depicts courtly interactions between Pier Maria Rossi and Bianca Pellegrini and recounts the tale of their love.
—Gulnaz Khan, AFAR Media, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
In France, a courtlier breed of tooth pullers began to cater to the affluent in the late seventeenth century.
—Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Tea kettles, rolling pins, tableware, even shower curtains are all adorned in their ubiquitous courtly check, adding a dose of whimsy to any corner of your home.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 8 July 2025
Inside the feudal fortress, decorative interiors include frescoes credited to Benedetto Bembo, such as Camera d’Oro, a room that depicts courtly interactions between Pier Maria Rossi and Bianca Pellegrini and recounts the tale of their love.
—Gulnaz Khan, AFAR Media, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
-
In addition to beautiful blooms, October Magic® Ivory™ Camellia produces handsome evergreen foliage and develops a graceful, upright shape.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Mickey, already back up top, stretched a graceful dive that made no splash.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Why is Glen Powell so determined to hide his handsome face?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The brassy fanfare of mariachi music was first played in the region’s rural reaches and popularized in Guadalajara’s handsome plazas.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Crafted in gold-toned bronze, its coloring is understated and elegant, allowing the designer to work with a more experimental shape.—
Rachel Gallaher,
Robb Report,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The Clunie Dining Room For a more elegant affair, there’s The Clunie Dining Room at The Fife Arms.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
On one hand, CJ McCollum is a perfectly fine starting point guard.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
He was sentenced to serve seven days in a DUI education center and ordered to pay a $350 fine and court fees.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But for Canadian actor Eugene Levy, the royal encounter that awaited him was anything but ceremonial.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Several of our testers noted their children were immersed in imaginative adventures that had pets swinging, taking baths, and tucking in for royal naps.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The experience of secession, of war, of industrial slaughter and gallant sacrifice, of Black soldiery and humanity all reforged Lincoln into a stronger alloy.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The pre-match tifo at the Roker End depicted the County Durham legend of the giant Lambton worm, slayed by a gallant local hero.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share