# courteous

/ˈkɝtiəs/ (US) · /kˈɜːtiəs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/courteous
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

polite and respectful toward other people. You use this to describe someone who has very good manners.

For teachers: exhibiting politeness and respect in manner or behaviour. Often used to describe professional conduct or formal social interactions.

## Examples

- The hotel staff were very courteous and helpful.
- Even though the two politicians disagreed on every policy, they remained courteous to each other during the debate.
- A courteous reply to a hostile email can often de-escalate a professional conflict more effectively than a defensive or equally aggressive response.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a predicative adjective after 'be' or 'remain', or as an attributive adjective before a noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.