Curtsy: meaning, definitions and examples

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curtsy

 

[ หˆkษœหrtsi ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

formal greeting

A respectful gesture, typically performed by women, involving bending the knees and lowering the body as a sign of respect or courtesy.

Synonyms

bow, greeting, obeisance

Examples of usage

  • She made a curtsy to the queen before exiting the room.
  • The young girl curtsied to her ballet teacher at the end of the performance.
Context #2 | Verb

perform a curtsy

To perform a formal gesture of respect or politeness, by bending the knees and lowering the body, typically done by women.

Synonyms

bow, greet, salute

Examples of usage

  • The young ballerina curtsied gracefully at the end of her performance.
  • She curtsied to the audience before leaving the stage.

Translations

Translations of the word "curtsy" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น reverรชncia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฎเฅเคฐ เคชเฅเคฐเคฃเคพเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Knicks

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengangguk hormat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั€ะตะฒะตั€ะฐะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dygniฤ™cie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ซใƒผใƒ†ใ‚ทใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท rรฉvรฉrence

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ reverencia

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท reverans

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ปคํ‹ฐ์‹œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู†ุญู†ุงุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รบklona

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ poklona

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฑˆ่†็คผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ priklon

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kveรฐja

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะฐา“ะทั‹ะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ แƒ”แƒ•แƒ”แƒ แƒแƒœแƒกแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tษ™zim

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ reverencia

Etymology

The word 'curtsy' originated in the 16th century from the word 'courtesy', which in turn came from the Old French word 'corteis'. It was originally used as a gesture of respect or reverence towards a superior, especially in formal settings. Over time, the curtsy evolved into a traditional form of greeting or acknowledgment, particularly among women. Today, it is often associated with formal occasions, dances, and performances.

See also: curtail, curtain, curtly, curtness, curtsey.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,297 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.