- The definition of courteous is a polite and considerate person.
An example of courteous is someone letting a pregnant woman go ahead of them in line for the restroom.
courteous
adjective
polite and gracious; considerate toward others; well-mannered
Origin of courteous
Middle English courteis ; from Old French corteis ; from court: see court and amp; -eousRelated Forms:
- courteously
adverb
- courteousness
noun
courteous
adjective
Characterized by gracious consideration toward others. See Synonyms at polite.
Origin of courteous
Middle English corteis, courtly, from Old French, from cort, court; see court.Related Forms:
- cour′te·ous·ly
adverb
- cour′te·ous·ness
noun
courteous
Adjective
(comparative more courteous, superlative most courteous)
Antonyms
Anagrams
Origin
From Old French curteis (French courtois), from cort (“court”), displaced native Old English hende (“courteous, gracious, friendly”).
