What does curtsy mean?
A curtsy is a formal gesture of respect or deference, performed chiefly by women and girls, in which one leg is placed behind the other and the knees are bent so that the body dips gracefully downward. It functions both as a noun — the gesture itself — and as a verb describing the act of performing it. Curtsies have long been part of ceremonial life, particularly at royal courts, where they accompany formal presentations, greetings to members of the royal family, and occasions such as debutante balls. The word carries connotations of elegance, tradition, and old-world etiquette, which is why it appears so often in descriptions of pageantry, historical drama, and formal protocol. Although everyday use has faded in most modern contexts, the curtsy survives in royal ceremonies and traditional institutions. Interestingly, the word originated as an altered pronunciation of "courtesy," reflecting the fact that the gesture was originally a courteous way of greeting a superior.
A gesture of respect made by a woman or girl, consisting of bending the knees and lowering the body slightly with one foot behind the other, traditionally used in greeting or acknowledging a superior.
"She sank into a deep curtsy as the Queen passed by."
The alternative spelling "curtsey" is still seen, especially in British English, though "curtsy" is now more common.
To perform a curtsy, typically as a sign of respect or deference when greeting someone of higher rank or status.
"The girls had been coached to curtsy gracefully when presented to the princess."
The plural follows the standard pattern for words ending in consonant + y, changing y to ies.
"The children rehearsed their curtsies until the movements became second nature."
The curtsy began life as nothing more than a polite word — it's literally a worn-down spelling of "courtesy," the gesture being named after the courteous greeting it expressed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of curtsy
"Curtsy" arose in the mid-16th century as an altered form of "courtesy," the gesture being named for the courteous salutation it embodied. "Courtesy" itself derives from "court," tracing back through Old French "corteis" to Latin "cohors" (genitive "cohortis"), meaning an enclosure or company of people — the same root that gives us "court," "courteous," and "cohort." Over time the pronunciation drifted from "courtesy" to "curtsy" in this specific gestural sense, and the variant spelling "curtsey" also developed.
How curtsy is actually used
"Curtsy" and the older spelling "curtsey" are both accepted, though "curtsy" is now the more common form. The gesture is traditionally associated with women and girls, whereas men typically bow; it remains customary in British royal presentations, formal ceremonies, and some traditional settings. The verb takes standard inflections (curtsied, curtsying).
Easily confused with curtsy
"Courtesy" refers to polite behavior or a polite remark, while "curtsy" is the physical bowing gesture made by bending the knees; "curtsy" arose historically as an altered spelling of "courtesy."