courtly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The limpid four-movement ballet is both courtly and casual, with its intricately evolving choreographic patterns gently beguiling, as if seen in a crystalline hall of mirrors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Amir Khusrau, an Indo-Persian poet who documented courtly life during the reign of Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, mentioned two types of naans in his writings - naan-e-tanuk and naan-i-tanuri.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

The courtly gentleman guided women around the floor to big band standards with all the aplomb of teenage boys waltzing at a cotillion dance they’ve been forced to attend by their parents.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2025

Best of all is the lively triple-time finale, which evokes the long history of courtly hunting music, with an alluring short section in minor key.

From New York Times • May 9, 2024

“When I was young we held to the courtly ways, but nowadays the world is running all to ruin.”

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein