polite and considerate in manner
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
cour•te•ous /ˈkɜrtiəs/USA pronunciation
adj.
cour•te•ous•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- of, relating to, or showing courtesy:a courteous note of thanks.
cour•te•ous•ness, n. [uncountable]
cour•te•ous
(kûr′tē əs),USA pronunciation adj.
cour′te•ous•ly, adv.
cour′te•ous•ness, n.
- having or showing good manners;
polite.
- Anglo-French; see court, -ese
- 1225–75; court + -eous; replacing Middle English co(u)rteis
cour′te•ous•ness, n.
- mannerly, gracious, courtly. See civil.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'courteous' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
-eous
- Curtis
- abrupt
- affable
- attentive
- beg
- ceremony
- chivalrous
- chivalry
- churlish
- civil
- compliment
- comply
- cordial
- courtesy
- debonair
- declination
- decline
- deference
- deferential
- devoirs
- discourteous
- fair
- fair-spoken
- gallant
- gentle
- gentleman
- give
- gracious
- gruff
- honor
- honour
- impolite
- impudent
- invite
- kind
- ladylike
- laugh
- mannerly
- observance
- observe
- pardon
- pay
- pleasantry
- polite
- quasi-courteous
- refined
- refuse
- respectful
- suavity