Courtesy
/ˈkɜːrtəsi/
nounB1
Definition
Courtesy is when someone acts politely and kindly toward others. It includes small actions like saying "please" and "thank you," holding a door open, or listening carefully. These actions show respect and make social life smoother and nicer for everyone.
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See It in Action
Polite behavior or good manners shown to others
- •She showed courtesy by thanking everyone who helped her.
- •It is common courtesy to say "excuse me" when you bump into someone.
- •Please show courtesy to the guests by listening when they speak.
A polite action done as a kindness or favor
- •As a courtesy, the hotel offered us free breakfast.
- •He gave me a ride as a courtesy because my car broke down.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "courtesy" like "polite" (A1 word), but it means the actual actions or behavior that show politeness.
- ✓Picture someone smiling and holding the door open for a friend or a stranger.
- ✓It’s the warm feeling you get when someone is kind and respectful to you without being asked.
- ✓Sounds like "COURT-e-see" → imagine a polite person in a royal court who always follows good manners.
- ✓Think of a waiter in a restaurant who is very polite and respectful to customers—that is courtesy in action.
- ✓NOT like "rudeness" (bad behavior)—courtesy is the opposite, showing respect and kindness.
- ✓NOT like "friendship" (close relationship)—courtesy can be shown even between strangers.
- ✓NOT like "favor" (special help)—courtesy is about polite behavior, not about giving something extra.
Try Other Words
- •Manners: polite behavior (Use when talking about general social rules for polite behavior)
- •Respect: showing care and consideration (Use when focusing on the feeling or attitude behind polite actions)
- •Kindness: being nice and helpful (Use when the action is friendly and caring, not just polite)
- •Favor: helpful action done for someone (Use when the action is a special help, not just polite behavior)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "court" (from Old French, related to a royal court) + suffix "-esy" (forms nouns related to qualities or states)
- •Etymology: From Old French "courtoisie," meaning behavior like that in a royal court—polite and respectful
- •Historical development: Originally described the polite behavior expected in noble courts; later used for general polite behavior
- •Modern usage: Used to describe polite actions and behavior in everyday life and formal situations
Reflect & Connect
•How does showing courtesy affect the way people feel in a group or community?
•Can courtesy be different in various cultures? How might it change?
Fill in the blanks
1.Saying "please" and "thank you" is a simple way to show ___ in daily life.
2.When someone holds the door open for you, it is an example of ___ as a polite action.
3.Unlike rudeness, courtesy helps people feel ___ and respected.
4.The hotel gave us a free room upgrade as a ___ to regular customers.
5.Showing ___ can help avoid arguments and make conversations smoother.
6.Even if you don’t know someone well, it’s important to treat them with ___.
7.When you receive courtesy, you often want to ___ it back to others.