courtier

CEFRB2

/ˈkɔɹtiɚ/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A person who attends and serves a king or queen.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A person who flatters in order to seek favour.

Examples

  • The courtier was enjoying great royal favor.

  • If only they sent another courtier.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3

Also pronounced

  • /ˈko(ː)ɹtiɚ/
  • /ˈkoətɪə/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the Asian genus Sephisa.

  2. A person in attendance at a royal court.

More examples

In context

  • By the Lord, Horatio, this three years I have taken note of it, the age is grown so picked that the toe of the peasant comes so near the heel of the courtier he galls his kibe.

  • People shouted cheerfully and flinched, but the Prime Minister didn't flinch, she fortified her voice with a firm diapason as if rising to the challenge of a rowdy Chamber. Around her her courtiers started like pheasants.

  • The world’s richest person, not known for his humility, is still learning the cutthroat courtier politics of Donald Trump’s inner circle — and his ultimate influence remains an open question.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The blank bowed low before the king and presented the scroll.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English courteour, from Anglo-Norman corteour, Old French cortoiier, from cort (“court”). By surface analysis, court + -ier.