Word
courtier
US/ˈkɔɹtiɝ/
UK/kˈɔːtɪɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who lives or spends time at the court of a king or queen, often as an adviser or companion.
n. a companion or adviser in attendance at a royal court, typically seeking favour or influence through service and flattery.
Examples
“The courtier bows low before the queen.”
“The young courtier spends his mornings attending the king and his evenings writing letters to win allies.”
“A skilled courtier learns to read the monarch's moods, offering praise when it pleases and silence when counsel might offend.”
Examples
simple
“The courtier bows low before the queen.”
contextual
“The young courtier spends his mornings attending the king and his evenings writing letters to win allies.”
complex
“A skilled courtier learns to read the monarch's moods, offering praise when it pleases and silence when counsel might offend.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “courtier” in context.
Verb
01. banish courtier
“The king decided to banish the courtier for spreading malicious rumours.”
verb + noun
02. bribe courtier
“The envoy tried to bribe the courtier to gain access to the king.”
verb + noun
03. courtier advises
“The courtier advises the monarch on matters of foreign policy.”
noun + verb
04. courtier bows
“The courtier bows deeply as the queen enters the chamber.”
noun + verb
05. courtier intrigues
“The courtier intrigues against his rivals to gain promotion.”
noun + verb
06. courtier schemes
“The courtier schemes to turn the king against his rivals.”
noun + verb
07. courtier whispers
“The courtier whispers gossip that undermines the queen's trust.”
noun + verb
Adjective
08. ambitious courtier
“The ambitious courtier sought the king's favour to secure a higher title.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. circle of courtiers
“A tight circle of courtiers controlled access to the throne.”
noun + prep + noun
10. crowd of courtiers
“A crowd of courtiers gathered in the antechamber to greet the king.”
noun + prep + noun
11. a circle of influential courtiers
“A circle of influential courtiers shaped the queen's foreign policy.”
12. banish the disgraced courtier
“The council voted to banish the disgraced courtier from the kingdom.”
Etymology
From Middle English courteour, from Anglo-Norman corteour, Old French cortoiier, from cort (“court”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/courtier