as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
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Recent Examples of courtly
The courtly Time-magazine essayist who described the American Century with wit, outrage, and wry wisdom
By Roger Rosenblatt
Read On
The Seasoned Traveler
Enrique Olvera The Mexican chef behind Cosme and Pujol reveals his travel routine
Read On
Going Anywhere Soon?
—
airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024
In the video, guests dressed for an Instagrammable, Regency-era ball, while an orchestra played music for courtly dances and Lopez sat on a throne, holding court as her own version of Queen Charlotte.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
From there, ravioli made its way into the courtly kitchens of the northern provinces.
—Dawn Davis Sharon Radisch Soneela Nankani Emma Kehlbeck Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 13 May 2024
At 21, George crossed paths with James I, who also ruled Scotland as King James VI, in August 1614 at Apethorpe, a courtly home in rural Northamptonshire.
—TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for courtly
airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024
In the video, guests dressed for an Instagrammable, Regency-era ball, while an orchestra played music for courtly dances and Lopez sat on a throne, holding court as her own version of Queen Charlotte.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
From there, ravioli made its way into the courtly kitchens of the northern provinces.
—Dawn Davis Sharon Radisch Soneela Nankani Emma Kehlbeck Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 13 May 2024
At 21, George crossed paths with James I, who also ruled Scotland as King James VI, in August 1614 at Apethorpe, a courtly home in rural Northamptonshire.
—TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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As with most new pursuits, our learning curve was steep and our movements the antithesis of graceful.—
Tim Chester,
AFAR Media,
16 Apr. 2025
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Coastal live oaks stretched their long branches into a graceful embrace.—
Francine Kiefer,
Christian Science Monitor,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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His being handsome, funny and not known for comedy was a real asset.—
Rosa Escandon,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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Keep them shiny and spot-free with common household ingredients already in your cupboard, for a handsome set that will last for years.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Hot Potato Salad Recipe: Shaved Vegetable Salad Recipe: Easy Bunny Cake This easy and elegant menu keeps things classic, but with an extra helping of flavor and color.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
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Puff sleeves are always elegant, helping to dress up any outfit no matter what it’s paired with.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And written by two of the finest Canadian imports in the TV game: Justified creator Graham Yost and Moira Walley-Beckett, who wrote the Breaking Bad installment Rolling Stone once dubbed the best episode in television history.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
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Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The pieces commissioned by the British royal family are relatively modest, with fewer (but still rare) gemstones.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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Since distancing from the royal family, Markle has been working on establishing herself as a thriving business woman.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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An elaborate ideology confers legitimacy upon the Kim family: according to the country’s founding myth, Kim Il Sung led a gallant band of guerilla fighters in the bitter winds of Manchuria to defeat the Japanese, liberate the Korean people, and establish the North Korean state.—
JENNIFER LIND,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Oct. 2010
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In stereotypical movies, the gallant hero saves the damsel through daring, dramatic action.—
Amanda Nguyen,
TIME,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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