as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of courtly
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
Across the street was the Mortensen House, a Spanish Colonial Revival villa from 1929, with courtly arches under a Mediterranean red-tile roof.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
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
Across the street was the Mortensen House, a Spanish Colonial Revival villa from 1929, with courtly arches under a Mediterranean red-tile roof.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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Because exits in sports seldom are graceful.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Sep. 2025
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Adorned with Japanese flowers and trees of the season, the vase gives a dignified, graceful welcome to visitors arriving in the main entrance lobby.—
Isabelle Kliger,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Stars have been everywhere this week, Prince Harry looks handsome as ever while in London, while Lindsay Lohan and husband Bader Shammas meet with Tim Meadows at the US Open in New York.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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Anderson’s latest sees DiCaprio in a much less handsome light than audiences are accustomed to.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Deutsche Küche Apple Frangipane Tarts For an elegant dessert option, the $4 Deutsche Küche Apple Frangipane Tarts bring a European flair to the table.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Sep. 2025
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Here, the atmosphere is upscale and elegant; perhaps one of the nicest Chinese dining rooms in Charlotte, despite the staff still trying to get a handle on hostess, service and wait time logistics.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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New Jersey's finest, Joe and Melissa Gorga, also showed up and showed out.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The brand’s categories include women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, accessories and fine jewelry at contemporary price points.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But the issues have reportedly caused a strain in their relationship to the point that the two have barely interacted during the royal family’s annual summer holiday at Balmoral.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
4 Sep. 2025
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Though the mother of three has made subtle changes to her hair color over the years, this latest hairstyle appears to be the lightest shade she's opted for since joining the royal family.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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 11 Sep. 2025.
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