Definition of “courtesy” - English Dictionary

English
Contents

“courtesy” in English

See all translations

courtesynoun [ U or C ]

uk ​ /ˈkɜː.tə.si/ us ​ /ˈkɝː.t̬ə.si/

B2 polite behaviour, or a polite action or remark:

You might get along better with your parents if you showed them some courtesy.
[ + to infinitive ] He could at least have had the courtesy to say sorry.
The president welcomed her visitors with the usual courtesies.
(by) courtesy of

› by permission of:

Jessie J appears courtesy of Universal Records.

› because of:

He got his black eye courtesy of a bloke he insulted at the bar last night.

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

(Definition of “courtesy” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“courtesy” in American English

See all translations

courtesynoun [ C/U ]

us ​ /ˈkɜr·t̬ə·si/

› polite behavior, or a polite action:

[ U ] They should teach drivers to show pedestrians some courtesy.

Idiom(s)

courtesy of someone

(Definition of “courtesy” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“courtesy” in Business English

See all translations

courtesynoun [ C or U ]

uk ​ /ˈkɜːtəsi/ us ​

› polite behaviour, or a polite action or remark:

He was treated with courtesy and hospitality.
I have written to the customer relations director twice but he has not had the courtesy to reply.
As a courtesy, we will email you if there is any change to these arrangements.
(by) courtesy of

› with the permission of someone:

Photo courtesy of Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

› because of, or provided by, someone or something:

Dealers were not excited about the market's performance, noting that the strong gains came courtesy of a handful of stocks.
This offer comes to you courtesy of the One World travel company.

courtesyadjective [ only before noun ]

uk ​ /ˈkɜːtəsi/ us ​

› provided at no cost:

There is a courtesy bus provided to take you to the terminal.
AA Insurance now offers a courtesy car until all claims are settled.

(Definition of “courtesy” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Help us add to the Cambridge Dictionary!

These examples are from external sources. Click on the icon to tell us if any are not OK.

courtesy

I was able to appreciate both her rigour and her courtesy, even if, as you know, our ideas scarcely brought us together.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
I would have thought that in a continent at war the least courtesy the presidency could have shown us would be to stay here until the end of the debate.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
I do not think it is acceptable if we are unable to exercise the very minimum of courtesy and listen to those who address us.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The chairman of the committee has written to you as a matter of urgency, but has not yet even had the courtesy of a reply.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Very well, thank you for your courtesy.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
There are questions in the second part which are not replied to either because there is not sufficient time and this is not a lack of courtesy.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
I expect the same courtesy from you.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We have the duty of transparency and of coherence with the principles of traceability: it is a matter of courtesy to the producers and the consumers.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Translations of “courtesy”
 
Need a translator?

Translator tool

Get a quick, free translation!

What is the pronunciation of courtesy?
Browse