Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

curtsy

noun

/ˈkɜːrtsi/

Definition

A traditional greeting or gesture made by women and girls when they bend their knees and lower their body in response to an invitation or in respect to someone, typically a member of royalty or a high-ranking individual.

Examples

She greeted the queen with a graceful curtsy.
In the old movies, actresses often show their elegance with a charming curtsy.
When meeting the dignitaries, the young lady performed a proper curtsy.

Meaning

Curtsy is the act of bending the knees while lowering the body slightly, usually accompanied by a sweep of the skirt, often used as a sign of respect or politeness.