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
But Ed presents himself with a no-frills courtly reticence that’s equal parts politeness and caution.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025
All this evidence suggests that the earliest tarot deck may have been used for little more than a courtly card game, an exquisite plaything for the super-rich.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025
All this evidence suggests that the earliest tarot deck may have been used for little more than a courtly card game, an exquisite plaything for the super-rich.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
-
Characterized by graceful, winding arms that spiral out from a bright central bulge, these systems are rich with both young and old stars, swirling gas and cosmic dust.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
After winning over America with his epic one-liners and graceful skates, Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon tackled the dance floor alongside partner Jenna Johnson.—
Diana Pearl,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Best Contemporary Piece Sleek and minimalist, this handsome glass model from West Elm impersonates a crystal menorah (without the price point) and allows your candlesticks to do the talking.—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
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On display are handsome cutting boards, crosses, urns and custom furniture.—
Suzanne Wright,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Produced from 1996 to 2005, the Neptune is an elegant take on the classic sports watch featuring a slim case and an integrated bracelet with fish scale-like links in honor of the god of the sea.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
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Paris Hilton looks elegant in a black gown with her signature sparkly touch at the Waldorf Astoria's grand reopening in New York City.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Simply pump the handle to cut food into fine, chunky, or coarse bits as needed.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Daniel Craig plays the detective Benoit Blanc, a southern gentleman with a deep drawl and a love of fine linen suits.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In 2020, Harry and Markle stepped away from their royal duties and later moved to Montecito, California.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Battling cancer is a really hard thing, and the royal family has had two of its members doing so in the last few years.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
And yet, welcoming that idea can shock the system because our popular conception of the American Revolution is so often encased in bloodless, gallant myth.—
Sarah Botstein,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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