as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of courtly
For any living room that could use a charming focal point, this number from MacKenzie Childs in its signature courtly check indicates style and design know-how.
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Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2025
The Menuetto: Allegretto takes the shape of a dance, its courtly pulse enlivened by fanciful woodwind slides that seem to tumble over each other.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
But Ed presents himself with a no-frills courtly reticence that’s equal parts politeness and caution.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2025
The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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But those struggles remain offscreen; Naïma’s season at the shelter is coming to an end, and the movie, graceful yet pragmatic, knows that not every story here can be told.—
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Her entry into this world was graceful, gentle and oh so magical.—
Adjective
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Her husband, Laurent (Arnaud Binard), has shown up unexpectedly in Rome to find his wife in the arms of handsome Italian film director Giancarlo (Raoul Bova).—
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Outlander is based on Diana Gabaldon's best-selling book series of the same name about the epic love story between an English World War II nurse who travels back in time to 18th-century Scotland and meets a handsome Highlander.—
Adjective
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Her hairstylist gave tendril lovers an idea for a whole new way to wear one, tucking Grande's bangs behind a section of hair left loose not from her hairline but a bit farther back—still elegant, but a bit more playful and creative.—
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Lopez accessorized with diamond earrings and wore her hair in an elegant updo.—
Adjective
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The American brand has been manufacturing customizable stationery and fine leather goods since 1969.—
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That's fine by Rodgers, who knows a thing or two about sneaking in the playoffs and going on a run.—
Adjective
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King Charles views her as a great asset and calming influence within the royal family.—
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The Prince and Princess of Wales resumed royal duties the day before Kate's birthday, visiting Charing Cross Hospital in London for their first official duty of 2026.—
Adjective
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Christ pulls him out of a tiny hole, like a gallant medieval knight rescuing a maiden in distress.—
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And yet, welcoming that idea can shock the system because our popular conception of the American Revolution is so often encased in bloodless, gallant myth.—
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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