Basic Details
Word: Courteous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Polite and thoughtful towards other people, in the way you speak and behave.
Synonyms: polite, respectful, gracious, civil
Antonyms: rude, impolite, discourteous
How to Spell Courteous
Syllables: cour - te - ous
Tricky part: The start is cour, spelt like court, even though it is said kur. The ending is eous, with an e before ous that many students forget.
Watch out for: curteous, courtious, courteus
Memory tip: Picture a king's court where everyone bows politely. Write court first, then add e-o-u-s: court + eous.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The bus conductor was courteous and helped the old lady find a seat.
Example 2: Please send a courteous reply to your aunt's letter.
Example 3: Even when the customers shouted, the shopkeeper stayed calm and courteous.
Fun Fact
In the Middle Ages, courteous described the polished manners that knights and nobles were expected to show at a royal court.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) gorgous
b) courteous
c) tremendus
d) mischievious
Show answer
b) courteous. Mischievous has no i after the v, gorgeous keeps the e of gorge and tremendous ends in ous; courteous needs no change.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word: courteous
a) gracious
b) civil
c) rude
d) polite
Show answer
c) rude. A rude person ignores manners, which is the reverse of being courteous; civil, gracious and polite all mean much the same as courteous.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
c_urt_ous
a) o, o
b) o, e
c) o, i
d) u, e
Show answer
b) o, e. Write court with its o, then the e that sits just before ous.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which action is courteous?
a) pushing to the front of a queue
b) ignoring a greeting
c) talking loudly during a film
d) thanking the person who holds a door for you
Show answer
d) thanking the person who holds a door for you
2. A courteous letter is one that is written ____.
a) politely
b) angrily
c) secretly
d) carelessly
Show answer
a) politely
