3 syllables: Cour, te, sy. Stress on Cour.
KUR-tuh-see
/ˈkɝtəsi/
Courtesy is pronounced KUR-tuh-see (/ˈkɝtəsi/). It has three syllables (Cour-te-sy), with the stress on "Cour". Courtesy is the polite behavior and consideration shown toward others, often expressed through words, gestures, and attitude. It implies respect and tact in social interactions, sometimes shaping how others perceive you. It combines mindful speech and courteous acts to create a positive, cooperative atmosphere in everyday life and professional settings.
nounCourtesy is the polite behavior and consideration shown toward others, often expressed through words, gestures, and attitude. It implies respect and tact in social interactions, sometimes shaping how others perceive you. It combines mindful speech and courteous acts to create a positive, cooperative atmosphere in everyday life and professional settings.
How to Pronounce Courtesy
"She thanked the waiter with a warm smile, a small courtesy that brightened his day."
"In many workplaces, courtesy is expected as a baseline for professional communication."
"He offered his seat as a courtesy to the elderly woman on the bus."
Pronounce it as /ˈkɜːr.tə.si/ in US and UK; for Australian English it’s commonly /ˈkəːtəsi/ with a slightly reduced first vowel. The primary stress is on the first syllable: COUR-te-si. The middle syllable uses a schwa /ə/; ensure the /r/ is rhotic in US and non-rhotic in some UK dialects. Listen to native speakers and mimic the rhythm: COUR-te-si, then allow the final /si/ to blend slightly.
Common errors: misplacing stress (talking about ‘cu-ROO-tie’), pronouncing the middle syllable as a full vowel instead of a schwa, or replacing /r/ with a silent sound in non-rhotic dialects. Correction: keep primary stress on first syllable /ˈkɜːr/ (US) or /ˈkɜːt/ (UK), reduce the middle to /ə/, and properly articulate the final /si/ with a light sibilant. Practice by saying ‘COUR’ quickly, then a relaxed /tə/ and crisp /si/.
In US English, /ˈkɜːr.təsi/ with rhotic /r/ post-vocalic; the first syllable has a rounded back vowel. UK English tends to be /ˈkɜː.tə.si/ with non-rhotic r and a more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable. Australian English often aligns with US/UK blends: /ˈkɜːtəsi/ or /ˈkəːtəsi/ with slight vowel reduction and clear /t/ timing. Key difference is rhoticity and vowel quality in the first syllable.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable rhythm with a stressed first syllable and a reduced second syllable. The /ɜː/ vowel in the first syllable can be challenging for non-native speakers, and the /r/ in American speech is rhotic, requiring careful tongue retraction. The sequence /təsi/ demands a light, precise /t/ and a quick, soft /s/ onset for natural flow.
A unique feature is the weak middle syllable /tə/ (schwa) that blends with neighboring sounds in connected speech. In careful speech you’ll hear clear /tə/; in fast speech it can be reduced further to [tə] or even [tɪ] in some dialects. Paying attention to the timing—first syllable stressed, middle reduced, final /si/ crisp—helps produce natural spoken courtesy.
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The word courtesy comes from the Old French curteisite, formed from curteis (courteous, polite) and the suffix -ie denoting a quality. Its roots trace to Latin curtas or curtas, linked to cur(t)us meaning “unfailing” or “polite” behavior in courtly contexts. The term entered Middle English via Old French during the 13th century as a social ideal tied to chivalric conduct and proper manners. Initially tied to noble elaborate manners, courtesy broadened to everyday polite behavior beyond aristocratic circles by the Early Modern period. By the 17th–18th centuries, courtesy referred more to civility and consideration in speech and action, not only formal ceremony. The semantic arc shows a shift from formal, ritualized manners toward general kindness and respectful interactions in social and professional spheres. First known written usage in English attests to a quality of behavior anchored in social reciprocity and consideration for others.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Courtesy" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Courtesy"
-ity sounds
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