courteous
gb/kˈɚtiəs/ us/kˈɚtiəs/
B2
English
~ 6200
udvarias, előzékeny
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is courteous (to [someone])
The staff at the hotel were always courteous, even when guests were demanding.
A szálloda személyzete mindig udvarias volt, még akkor is, amikor a vendégek követelőzőek voltak.
It was very courteous of you to offer your seat to the elderly woman.
Nagyon udvarias volt tőled, hogy átadtad a helyedet az idős hölgynek.
Please be courteous to other drivers and use your turn signal.
He received a courteous reply, although his request was ultimately refused.
Learner examples
The receptionist was very courteous and answered all my questions.
A recepciós nagyon udvarias volt, és minden kérdésemre válaszolt.
You should be courteous to people who help you.
Udvariasnak kell lenned azokkal az emberekkel, akik segítenek neked.
She wrote a courteous email to thank her teacher.
A courteous driver stops to let people cross the street.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "courteous with someone" instead of the more natural "courteous to someone". Another mistake is using it as a verb (e.g., *"He courteoused me"*); instead, use "be courteous" or "act in a courteous way". Also, many situations where learners write "courteous" would sound more natural with "polite" in everyday speech, since "courteous" can sound slightly more formal.
Meaning
polite and considerate toward others
Collocations
be courteous to
|courteous manner
|courteous reply
|courteous service
|courteous staff
|unfailingly courteous
Synonyms
polite (More common and neutral; does not especially suggest formality or extra thoughtfulness.)
|
respectful (Focuses on showing respect or honor, not always on general good manners.)
|
civil (Often means being just polite enough, sometimes in a cool or unfriendly way.)
Antonyms
rude (Directly opposite; describes behavior that is offensive or not polite.)
|
impolite (More formal opposite; means not following the normal rules of politeness.)
Themes
social
|daily life
|behavior
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Polite and careful to be kind and fair to other people.
Behaving in a polite and considerate way that shows respect for other people’s feelings and comfort.
Grammar
Dictionary form
courteous
IPA
GB/kˈɚtiəs/
US/kˈɚtiəs/
Syllables & stress
cour - teous (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cour)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: courteous
Word family
Core family
courtesy
noun B1
courteously
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
discourteous
adjective
discourtesy
noun
discourteously
adverb
Advanced or less common
courteousness
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.