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
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
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Butler leads with steady confidence, and Williams follows with a dainty, graceful flow that draws every eye in the room.—
Alexa Stone
Updated October 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
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In Hubble's recent image, NGC 6951 unfurls its graceful spiral arms, covered in red nebulae glowing with hydrogen gas, a key fuel for new stars.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Fifty-one years old, full head of hair, strikingly handsome, with three young kids (Tyler, Skyler, and Zoe) and wife (Donna, attorney).—
Iris Bahr,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
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Your fantasies are startling yet most opportune; your French landscape as much there as the handsome red cover itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Softstreme High-rise Wide-leg Cropped Pant has a weighty drape that adds an elegant edge to what otherwise feels like loungewear, given how remarkably soft the Softstreme fabric is.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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The long-sleeve polo sweater has elegant pearl buttons that pop against the sweater’s neutral color.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Elite-level play from the man who retained his crown as the finest running back in the land Sunday.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
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Devotees dress up in their finest outfits, make offerings to Lakshmi, light fireworks and sparklers, and enjoy a sweet feast.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Reportedly the sisters will also continue to be invited to celebrate Christmas with the royal family in Sandringham, despite the fact that neither of their parents will ever be invited again.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
23 Oct. 2025
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The trio was flanked by Swiss Guards and other dignitaries, emphasizing the ceremonial nature of the royal departure from the Holy See.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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