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
For any living room that could use a charming focal point, this number from MacKenzie Childs in its signature courtly check indicates style and design know-how.
—
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2025
The Menuetto: Allegretto takes the shape of a dance, its courtly pulse enlivened by fanciful woodwind slides that seem to tumble over each other.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 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
Not long after her wedding to Wu Ding, her father-in-law the king died, and the family was obligated to formally mourn and abstain from courtly life for three years.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2025
The Menuetto: Allegretto takes the shape of a dance, its courtly pulse enlivened by fanciful woodwind slides that seem to tumble over each other.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 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
Not long after her wedding to Wu Ding, her father-in-law the king died, and the family was obligated to formally mourn and abstain from courtly life for three years.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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September 23 – October 22 The stars currently favor graceful, honest dialogue.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
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Even after so long, Camilla was still moved at the sight of her, so graceful and petite, with that thin, waif-like face.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Her husband, Laurent (Arnaud Binard), has shown up unexpectedly in Rome to find his wife in the arms of handsome Italian film director Giancarlo (Raoul Bova).—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2026
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Outlander is based on Diana Gabaldon's best-selling book series of the same name about the epic love story between an English World War II nurse who travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland and meets a handsome Highlander.—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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When paired with the right boots, leggings can even rise to the level of elegant occasion wear.—
Amber Rambharose,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
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According to interior designers, these four countertop colors are their go-tos for creating modern yet classic spaces that feel elegant and livable.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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If your home naturally receives plenty of sun, your indoor plants may be perfectly fine.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
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If your oven doesn’t have a lot of stains and grease buildup, monthly cleaning should be fine.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Right now, the Sussex brand feels stalled, and Harry appears caught between royal identity and celebrity ambition.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
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My Australian vowels were not corrected, but I was introduced to fine wine, opera and the royal family.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Tilt and the gallant escort was replaced by a boy too traumatized to leave his mother’s side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Jan. 2026
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While Son of Hitler takes plenty of creative liberty when the titular character is recruited to assassinate his famous father for the Allies, the fate of the real-life Loret isn’t so gallant.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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