What does cortege mean?
A cortege is a formal procession of people moving together in ceremony — most familiarly the line of vehicles and mourners that follows a hearse to a graveside, but historically also the train of attendants accompanying a monarch or other figure of great rank. The word carries connotations of solemnity, dignity, and occasion: it is not used for casual gatherings, but for movements invested with public meaning. In modern usage it appears overwhelmingly in the phrase 'funeral cortege', describing the slow, respectful passage from home, church, or crematorium. The word entered English in the seventeenth century from French, ultimately tracing back to Italian 'corte' (a court), making it a relative of words like escort and courtesy. Its evocative weight makes it a favorite of journalists describing state occasions, and its dual association with royalty and funerals gives it a distinctive, dignified character among English nouns.
nounA procession of people, especially one accompanying a coffin at a funeral or following a person of high rank or importance.
- A solemn procession accompanying a coffin at a funeral.
- A ceremonial procession of attendants following a person of rank or distinction.
"The funeral cortege wound slowly through the village streets, followed by mourners on foot."
"The cortege moved at walking pace behind the hearse."
"The emperor's cortege stretched nearly half a mile through the capital."
Regular English plural, adding -es to the singular form.
"Two separate corteges arrived at the cathedral within an hour of each other."
Cortege and 'escort' share the same root — a cortege is literally an escort of honor, which is why it can describe both royal processions and funeral processions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cortege
Cortege comes from French cortège, borrowed from Italian corteggio, derived from corte (court), from Latin cohors (an enclosure or retinue). It entered English in the early seventeenth century, first denoting a royal or noble retinue before becoming strongly associated with funeral processions. It shares its ultimate root with words such as escort, courtesy, and court.
How cortege is actually used
Formal in register; most often encountered in the context of state funerals and public mourning. The plural is corteges.
Easily confused with cortege
Cortege is a procession of people, while courage is the quality of bravery in facing danger.