What does discourteously mean?
Discourteously means in a manner that is rude, impolite, or lacking courtesy. It is commonly used to characterize how someone speaks, behaves, or treats another person, especially when the behavior violates ordinary expectations of politeness. The word often suggests a deliberate or conspicuous breach of good manners, although it can also describe tone that is abrupt, dismissive, or unnecessarily cold. Compared with rude, discourteously can sound more formal and measured, which makes it useful in written accounts, professional reports, and descriptions of social interaction. In everyday conversation, the related adjective discourteous is often used when describing a person, while the adverb focuses on the manner or manner of an action. Its Latin and French-derived history reflects the older contrast between courteous behavior, associated with courtly manners, and behavior that falls short of those standards.
adverbIn a discourteous manner; without courtesy or politeness.
- In a manner that is impolite, rude, or lacking courtesy.
"The customer was discourteously ignored by the receptionist."
"He discourteously cut off the speaker before she had finished her sentence."
"The employee was discourteously treated by a customer."
Discourteously is the polished way to describe behavior that is unmistakably rude.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of discourteously
Discourteously was formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective discourteous. Discourteous entered English from French discourtois, formed from des- and courtois, meaning courteous or courtly. The underlying family is associated with court and courtly behavior, and related English words include courteous, courtesy, discourtesy, and courtly.
Related word forms
How discourteously is actually used
More formal and generally more restrained than rude. It is often used to describe a breach of expected politeness without necessarily implying hostility or aggression.
Easily confused with discourteously
Discreetly means in a careful, tactful, or inconspicuous manner, whereas discourteously means without courtesy or politeness.