Pronunciation: /ˈkɔrtli/

Definitions of courtly

adjective relating to or characteristic of a court or courtly life; elegant and polite in a formal way

Example Sentences

A1 He greeted her with a courtly bow.

A2 The knight displayed courtly manners towards the princess.

B1 The ballroom was filled with courtly dances and elegant music.

B2 The queen's courtly attire was the talk of the royal court.

C1 The diplomat's courtly demeanor impressed everyone at the international summit.

C2 The playwright captured the essence of courtly love in his latest work.

Examples of courtly in a Sentence

formal The courtly manners of the gentleman impressed the royal family.

informal She always admired his courtly way of speaking to others.

slang I can't believe how courtly he was when he asked her out on a date.

figurative His courtly demeanor masked a cunning mind beneath.

Grammatical Forms of courtly

past tense

courted

plural

courtlys

comparative

more courtly

superlative

most courtly

present tense

courts

future tense

will court

perfect tense

have courted

continuous tense

is courting

singular

courtly

positive degree

courtly

infinitive

to court

gerund

courting

participle

courting

Origin and Evolution of courtly

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'courtly' originated from the Old French word 'cortois' meaning courteous or polite.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'courtly' has evolved to connote elegant, refined, or sophisticated behavior typically associated with the royal court or aristocracy.