courtly Definition
- 1relating to a royal court or the behavior typical of a royal court
- 2polite, refined, or elegant in behavior or appearance
Using courtly: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "courtly" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The queen's courtly manners were admired by all.
Example
The knight was known for his courtly love for the lady of the castle.
Example
The ballroom dance was a display of courtly elegance.
courtly Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with courtly
a highly stylized form of romantic love that flourished in medieval Europe, emphasizing chivalry and nobility
Example
The troubadours of the Middle Ages wrote songs about courtly love.
courtly manners
polite and refined behavior, especially in a formal setting
Example
The ambassador's courtly manners impressed the foreign dignitaries.
language that is formal, polite, and refined, often used in a royal or noble setting
Example
The poet used courtly language to describe the beauty of the queen.
Origins of courtly
from Middle English 'courteis', from Old French 'curteis', from Latin 'cohors' meaning 'court'
Summary: courtly in Brief
The term 'courtly' [ˈkɔːtli] refers to behavior or appearance that is polite, refined, or elegant, often associated with a royal court. It can also refer to the highly stylized form of romantic love that flourished in medieval Europe, emphasizing chivalry and nobility, as in 'courtly love.' Other phrases include 'courtly manners' and 'courtly language,' both of which denote formal, polite, and refined behavior or speech.
