courteously — in a polite, respectful, and considerate manner
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: in a polite, respectful, and considerate manner
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkɜːrtiəsli/
Example Sentences
- The waiter courteously explained the menu to the confused tourists, even drawing little pictures.
- She courteously declined the fifth piece of cake, though her eyes said otherwise.
- The diplomat courteously listened to all concerns before making any decisions.
courteously
ADVERB[/ˈkɜːrtiəsli/]
in a polite, respectful, and considerate manner
The waiter courteously pulled out the chair for the elderly guest.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Middle French 'courteous', meaning 'of the court' or 'showing courtly manners'. The term originated from the behavior expected of nobility in the royal court, where refined and respectful conduct was paramount.
Breakdown
court (royal residence/courtly circle) + -eous (adjective suffix indicating 'having the quality of') + -ly (adverb suffix indicating 'in a manner of'). The word progresses from the noun 'court' through adjectival and adverbial suffixes to express polite conduct in an adverbial sense.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The waiter courteously explained the menu to the confused tourists, even drawing little pictures.”
“She courteously declined the fifth piece of cake, though her eyes said otherwise.”
“The diplomat courteously listened to all concerns before making any decisions.”
“He courteously offered his umbrella to the stranger, getting completely soaked in return.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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