courtesy
polite behaviour, or a polite action or remark
You might get on better with your parents if you showed them some courtesy.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
courtesy
noun (no plural)
polite behaviour that shows respect for other people
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
courtesy
I. cour‧te‧sy1 /ˈkɜːtəsi, ˈkɜːtɪsi $ ˈkɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun (plural courtesies)
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: corteisie, from corteis; ⇨ ↑courteous]
1. [uncountable] polite behaviour and respect for other people SYN politeness OPP discourtesy:
It’s a matter of common courtesy to acknowledge letters.
have the courtesy to do something
He didn’t even have the courtesy to call and say he couldn’t come.
2. [countable] something you do or say to be polite:
The two men exchanged courtesies before getting down to business.
3. (by) courtesy of somebody by someone’s permission or kindness, rather than by paying them:
photographs supplied courtesy of Blenheim Palace
4. (by) courtesy of something if one thing happens courtesy of another, the second thing caused the first:
Healy received a deep cut on his left hand, courtesy of Nicole’s ice skate.
5. do somebody the courtesy of doing something to be polite enough to do something for someone:
At least do me the courtesy of telling the truth.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
courtesy
cour·tesy [courtesy courtesies] noun, adjective [ˈkɜːtəsi] [ˈkɜːrtəsi]
noun (pl. cour·tesies)
1. uncountable polite behaviour that shows respect for other people
Syn: politeness
• I was treated with the utmost courtesy by the staff.
• We asked them, as a matter of courtesy, if we could photograph their house.
• It's only common courtesy to tell the neighbours that we'll be having a party (= the sort of behaviour that people would expect).
2. countable, usually plural (formal) a polite thing that you say or do when you meet people in formal situations
• an exchange of courtesies before the meeting
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French cortesie, from corteis, based on Latin cohors ‘yard, retinue’.
Example Bank:
• He listened to all the complaints with great courtesy.
• It's a matter of courtesy to write and thank people after a party.
• It's common courtesy to give up your seat for elderly people.
• It's common courtesy to warn your neighbours if your children are going to have a party.
• She contacts clients regularly as a professional courtesy.
• She might have done me the courtesy of replying to my letter.
• You could at least have had the courtesy to let me know.
• her unfailing courtesy to everyone
• He bowed his head with exaggerated courtesy.
• It's only common courtesy to tell the neighbours that we'll be having a party.
• The prime minister was welcomed with the usual courtesies.
• We asked them as a matter of courtesy.
Idioms: courtesy of somebody ▪ do somebody the courtesy of doing something ▪ have the courtesy to do something
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
courtesy / ˈkɜː.tə.si / / ˈkɝː.t̬ə- / noun [ U or C ]
B2 polite behaviour, or a polite action or remark:
You might get on better with your parents if you showed them some courtesy.
[ + to infinitive ] He could at least have had the courtesy to say sorry.
The president welcomed the Queen with the usual courtesies.
(by) courtesy of by permission of:
Jessie J appears courtesy of Universal Records.
because of:
Did the Conservatives win courtesy of the division of the opposition vote between Labour and the Liberal Democrats?
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
courtesy
[kɜ͟ː(r)tɪsi]
courtesies
1) N-UNCOUNT Courtesy is politeness, respect, and consideration for others. [FORMAL]
...a gentleman who behaves with the utmost courtesy towards ladies...
He did not even have the courtesy to reply to my fax.
Syn:
politeness
Ant:
rudeness
2) N-SING: usu the N of -ing/n If you refer to the courtesy of doing something, you are referring to a polite action. [FORMAL]
By extending the courtesy of a phone call to my clients, I was building a personal relationship with them...
At least if they're arguing, they're doing you the courtesy of being interested.
3) N-COUNT: usu pl Courtesies are polite, conventional things that people say in formal situations. [FORMAL]
Hugh and John were exchanging faintly barbed courtesies.
Syn:
formalities
4) ADJ: ADJ n Courtesy is used to describe services that are provided free of charge by an organization to its customers, or to the general public.
A courtesy shuttle bus operates between the hotel and the town.
...a courtesy phone.
5) ADJ: ADJ n A courtesy call or a courtesy visit is a formal visit that you pay someone as a way of showing them politeness or respect.
The President paid a courtesy call on Emperor Akihito.
6) N-UNCOUNT: N n, by N A courtesy title is a title that someone is allowed to use, although it has no legal or official status.
Both were accorded the courtesy title of Lady...
My title, by courtesy only, is the Honourable Amalia Lovell.
7) PHR-PREP If something is provided courtesy of someone or by courtesy of someone, they provide it. You often use this expression in order to thank them.
The waitress brings over some congratulatory glasses of champagne, courtesy of the restaurant...
Illustrations by courtesy of the National Gallery.
8) PHR-PREP If you say that one thing happens courtesy of another or by courtesy of another, you mean that the second thing causes or is responsible for the first thing.
The air was fresh, courtesy of three holes in the roof...
As millions will have seen, by courtesy of the slow motion re-runs, the referee made a mistake.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1cour·te·sy /ˈkɚtəsi/ noun, pl -sies
1 [noncount] : polite behavior that shows respect for other people
• They treated us with courtesy and kindness.
• He didn't even have the common courtesy [=he was not even as polite as people can usually be expected to be] to say goodbye when he left.
2 [count]
a : something that you do because it is polite, kind, etc.
• She did it as a courtesy, not because she had to.
b : something that you say to be polite especially when you meet someone
• Everyone knows each other here, so we won't bother with the usual courtesies.
• They shook hands and exchanged courtesies before beginning their discussion.
courtesy of
✦If you say that something has been provided through the courtesy of or (by) courtesy of a person, organization, business, etc., you are politely saying that they paid for it, gave it, or let it be used.
• The flowers were provided through the courtesy of a local florist.
• This program is brought to you courtesy of our sponsors. [=it has been paid for by our sponsors] The word courtesy is sometimes used informally by itself in this way.
• Photo courtesy Helen Jones. [=Helen Jones is allowing the photograph to be used] The phrase courtesy of is sometimes also used informally to indicate the cause of something.
• I have a bad cold now, courtesy of my brother. [=I have a bad cold that I caught from my brother]
