How to pronounce curtsey
Say it like KURT-sih. Curtsey has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KURT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce curtsey. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KURT
- sih
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Curtsey pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KURTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- sihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of curtsey
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KURT-sih.
What does curtsey mean?
- A small bow, generally performed by a woman or a girl, where she crosses the shin of one leg behind the calf of her other leg and briefly bends her knees to lower her body in deference.“I refused to make so much as a curtsey for the passing nobles, as I am a staunch egalitarian.”
- To make a curtsey.“The hotel's staff never curtsied, nodded, or bowed to the owner as she passed, as they were staunch egalitarians.”
Where does curtsey come from?
Variant of courtesy (1525) (from court + -esy), from Middle English curteisie, curtesie, from Anglo-Norman curtesie, from Old French curteisie, cortoisie.
Questions about saying curtsey
How do you pronounce curtsey?
Say KURT-sih. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɝtsɪ/. In British English it is /ˈkɜːtsɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in curtsey?
Curtsey has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KURT). Broken into parts: KURT · sih.
Is curtsey pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈkɜːtsɪ/ (KURT-sih).