courteously

Everyday

1. In a polite, kind and respectful way, showing good manners. tree →
2. (formal) In a way that is correct and considerate, as officials or shop staff are expected to behave. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety lessons it describes good manners: speaking courteously to a teacher, a shop assistant or a bus driver. In stories it tells the reader that a character behaves well even when others do not. Phrases: «speak courteously», «reply courteously», «treat someone courteously», «courteously declined».

Examples

• The waiter courteously showed us to our table. tree →
• Please answer the visitors courteously. tree →
• She courteously held the door open for the man with the pram. tree →
• He courteously thanked the bus driver as he got off. tree →
• The knight bowed courteously to the queen. tree →
• Even when the customer shouted, the shop assistant replied courteously. tree →
• (formal) Passengers are courteously requested to remain seated. tree →
• “Boy,” she said courteously, “why are you crying?” tree →

Note

Spelled court-e-ous-ly, sounds like «KER-tee-us-lee». The opposite is «discourteously» or «rudely». The noun is «courtesy» (good manners). Do not confuse with «curtsy», a little bow with bent knees.