Curtsy or Curtsey: Correct Spelling, Meaning, and Usage  

Curtsy or Curtsey: Correct Spelling, Meaning, and Usage explains how curtsy and courtesy differ in spelling, meaning, and usage. 

These different but related words can leave English learners, writers, and native speakers confused because of their similar spelling and pronunciation. A curtsy is a noun or verb for the act of bowing, while courtesy is a noun connected with respect.

The curtsy vs curtsey question is mainly about spelling. Curtsy is the correct spelling most often preferred, while curtsey is also accepted and isn’t wrong. Both spellings mean exactly the same thing. Their definitions and different meanings are easy to understand when you study clear examples, sentences, and real contexts.

 Both forms appear in American English and British English.This guide helps you learn the origin, differences, and correct usage through real-life examples. You’ll find both versions in books, subtitles, news articles, and online content, which can increase confusion.

 The article offers a simple way to answer common spelling questions and use the word confidently in writing, a formal essay, news story, social media caption, exams, or conversation, without treating curtsey as outdated.

Curtsy or Curtsey: 

Spelling	Correct?	Meaning	Best choice in US English
curtsy	Yes	A formal gesture of respect	Preferred
curtsey	Yes	Same gesture	Alternative
courtsey	No	Nonstandard spelling	Avoid

The simplest rule is this:

Use “curtsy” as your default spelling in American English.

You can use curtsey when a particular source, publication, or historical text uses that spelling. The meaning doesn’t change.

So, if you write:

• She gave a curtsy.
• She gave a curtsey.

both sentences describe the same basic action.

The difference lies in the spelling, not the meaning.

What Does Curtsy Mean?

A curtsy is a formal gesture traditionally made by bending the knees and lowering the body. The person usually keeps the upper body relatively upright while moving one foot into a particular position.

Historically, the gesture served as a sign of respect, courtesy, greeting, or submission to social etiquette. Today, you’ll most often encounter it in discussions of royalty, traditional ceremonies, dance, theater, historical customs, or formal performances.

For example:

• The dancer finished the routine with a graceful curtsy.
• She gave a quick curtsy before leaving the stage.
• The children practiced their curtsies for the ceremony.
• The performer took a bow and then made a curtsy.

The word can function as both a noun and a verb, which makes its usage slightly more interesting than it first appears.

Curtsy as a Noun

As a noun, curtsy names the gesture itself.

Consider this sentence:

She gave a curtsy to the audience.

Here, curtsy refers to the actual gesture.

You can also use the word in sentences such as:

• Her curtsy was graceful and brief.
• The final curtsy marked the end of the performance.
• The traditional ceremony included several curtsies.
• She learned how to perform a formal curtsy.

In these examples, the word identifies an action or gesture rather than describing what someone is doing at that exact moment.

Curtsy as a Verb

Curtsy can also work as a verb. In this form, it means to perform a curtsy.

For example:

• She curtsied to the guest.
• The dancer curtsied after the performance.
• The performer curtsied before leaving the stage.

The construction curtsy to someone is especially common.

Compare these two sentences:

Usage	Example
Noun	She gave a curtsy.
Verb	She curtsied to the audience.

The noun names the gesture. The verb describes the action.

What Does Curtsey Mean?

Curtsey has the same basic meaning as curtsy.

It describes the same traditional gesture of bending the knees and lowering the body as a formal sign of respect or greeting.

The important point is that curtsey isn’t simply a typo. It is an established alternative spelling found in major English dictionaries.

That means these sentences are both grammatically acceptable:

• She gave a curtsy.
• She gave a curtsey.

Likewise:

• She curtsied to the queen.
• She curtseyed to the queen.

The spelling changes, but the underlying meaning remains the same.

Is Curtsey a Misspelling?

No.

Curtsey is a legitimate variant of curtsy. Treating it as automatically incorrect would give readers the wrong information.

However, legitimate doesn’t necessarily mean equally common.

Modern American English generally favors curtsy, making it the more practical choice for most contemporary writing.

Think of the relationship this way:

Curtsy = preferred modern form

Curtsey = accepted alternative

That distinction gives you a more accurate answer than simply calling one spelling right and the other wrong.

Curtsy or Curtsey in American English

For American English, curtsy is the safest default.

If you’re writing an article for an American audience, preparing a school assignment, or editing general website content, there’s little reason to choose the less common curtsey unless you have a specific reason.

This doesn’t make curtsey incorrect. It simply means that curtsy is the form readers are more likely to expect.

For example, an American English article would normally use:

The dancer performed a graceful curtsy.

rather than:

The dancer performed a graceful curtsey.

Both are understandable. The first simply fits modern US usage better.

When Should You Use Curtsey?

There are several situations where curtsey can still make sense.

You might keep it when:

• You’re quoting an older source.
• You’re preserving the spelling used in a historical document.
• A publication has a specific style preference.
• You’re discussing spelling variants.
• You’re reproducing a text where changing the spelling would alter the original wording.

Otherwise, curtsy is usually the cleaner choice.

Curtsy or Curtsey in British English

The distinction between American and British English isn’t as rigid as some spelling questions.

It’s tempting to say:

American English = curtsy

British English = curtsey

But that isn’t accurate.

Both curtsy and curtsey occur in British English. The spelling curtsy is not restricted to American English, and British writers don’t have to use curtsey.

English variety	Common form	Alternative
American English	curtsy	curtsey
British English	curtsy	curtsey
General modern English	curtsy	curtsey

The frequency of each form can vary depending on the writer, publication, period, and context.

Older texts may contain spellings that feel less familiar to modern readers. That’s one reason you may encounter curtsey even when contemporary sources favor curtsy.

Why Are There Two Spellings?

The history of curtsy explains why the two spellings exist.

The word developed from courtesy, a word associated with polite behavior, respect, and proper social conduct. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation changed as English speakers used the word in different forms.

Historical forms included variations such as curtesy and curt’sy before the modern spellings became established.

The word eventually became strongly associated with the physical gesture used to express respect or courtesy.

A simplified development looks like this:

courtesy → historical variants → curtsy / curtsey

The spelling curtsy eventually became the dominant modern form, while curtsey remained in use as an alternative.

The Connection With Courtesy

The relationship between curtsy and courtesy can cause another spelling mistake.

Because the words are historically connected, writers sometimes assume the correct spelling must contain court-.

That’s where courtsey comes from.

But modern English doesn’t spell the word that way.

The correct forms are:

• curtsy
• curtsey

Not:

• courtsey

The historical connection is useful for understanding the word’s development, but it isn’t a reason to copy the spelling of courtesy.

Pronunciation

In ordinary modern English, curtsy and curtsey are pronounced the same way.

The additional e in curtsey doesn’t add another syllable or create a separate vowel sound.

Both forms are generally pronounced with two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

That means you shouldn’t choose between them based on pronunciation. The real issue is spelling and usage preference.

Feature	Curtsy	Curtsey
Syllables	2	2
Basic pronunciation	Same	Same
Meaning	Same	Same
Spelling	Preferred	Variant

This is a classic example of English refusing to make things unnecessarily simple. Two spellings can coexist while sharing the same pronunciation and meaning.

Curtsy Plural: Curtsies or Curtseys?

The plural depends on which spelling you choose.

If you use curtsy, the plural is:

curtsies

For example:

• The dancers performed several curtsies.
• She practiced her curtsies before the ceremony.
• The performance ended with three formal curtsies.

If you use curtsey, the plural is:

curtseys

For example:

• The historical account describes several curtseys.
• The dancers practiced their curtseys.

Here’s the pattern at a glance:

Singular	Plural
curtsy	curtsies
curtsey	curtseys

This difference happens because curtsy ends in -y, while curtsey ends in -ey.

For US English, curtsies is the form you’re most likely to want.

Curtsy Past Tense: Curtsied or Curtseyed?

The same spelling distinction continues when the word becomes a verb.

For curtsy, the past tense is:

curtsied

Example:

She curtsied to the audience after the performance.

For curtsey, the past tense is:

curtseyed

Example:

The character curtseyed before the king.

Both forms follow the spelling of their respective base words.

Base verb	Past tense	-ing form
curtsy	curtsied	curtsying
curtsey	curtseyed	curtseying

This is why consistency matters. If you’re using curtsy, stick with its related forms rather than switching between spelling systems.

Curtsy Verb Forms

The common forms are:

• Base: curtsy
• Third-person singular: curtsies
• Past tense: curtsied
• Present participle: curtsying

Examples:

• She curtsies before the audience.
• She curtsied after the dance.
• She is curtsying as part of the performance.

Curtsey Verb Forms

The corresponding forms are:

• Base: curtsey
• Third-person singular: curtseys
• Past tense: curtseyed
• Present participle: curtseying

Examples:

• She curtseys before the guests.
• She curtseyed at the ceremony.
• The character is curtseying in the final scene.

The forms look different, but they perform the same grammatical job.

Common Mistakes

The spelling looks simple until a few misleading forms enter the picture.

Mistake: Assuming Curtsey Is Wrong

This is the most common misconception.

Curtsey is a recognized English spelling. It’s an alternative form of curtsy, not an invented word.

If you see it in a reputable dictionary or published text, there’s no reason to assume someone made a typo.

For modern US English, however, curtsy remains the better default.

Mistake: Thinking Curtsy and Curtsey Have Different Meanings

They don’t have separate basic meanings.

Both describe the same formal gesture.

If someone tells you that curtsy means one type of gesture while curtsey means another, the distinction isn’t supported by standard dictionary definitions.

Mistake: Writing Courtsey

Courtsey is incorrect.

This mistake probably feels tempting because curtsy has a historical relationship with courtesy.

Still, modern spelling doesn’t use the court- form.

Correct:

• curtsy
• curtsey

Incorrect:

• courtsey

Mistake: Mixing the Verb Forms

Choose one spelling system and follow it.

Correct:

curtsy → curtsied → curtsying

Also correct:

curtsey → curtseyed → curtseying

Avoid switching unnecessarily between them.

For example, if your article consistently uses curtsy, changing to curtseyed halfway through can make the writing look inconsistent.

Curtsy or Curtsey in Sentences

Examples make the difference much easier to remember.

Word or form	Example sentence
curtsy	She gave a curtsy before leaving the stage.
curtsey	She gave a curtsey before leaving the stage.
curtsies	The dancers practiced their curtsies.
curtseys	The book describes several formal curtseys.
curtsied	She curtsied after the final performance.
curtseyed	The character curtseyed before the king.
curtsying	The performer was curtsying at the end of the scene.
curtseying	The actress was curtseying during the historical reenactment.

Notice that the meaning remains stable throughout these examples.

The spelling changes because the base form changes.

A Practical Example

Imagine you’re editing an American English article about traditional dance.

The writer has included this sentence:

The dancers performed several curtseys at the end of the show.

Should you delete it as a spelling error?

No.

Curtseys is the plural form associated with the accepted spelling curtsey.

However, if your publication consistently uses the more common American form, you might edit the sentence to:

The dancers performed several curtsies at the end of the show.

The second version uses the preferred modern spelling.

Now consider a historical book that repeatedly uses curtsey. If you’re quoting the book or discussing its original language, changing every instance to curtsy could be inappropriate.

This gives you a useful editorial principle:

Correctness and preference aren’t always the same thing.

A spelling can be correct without being your preferred choice.

Which Is More Common?

For modern American English, curtsy is generally more common and is the preferred dictionary headword.

That makes it the strongest choice when you don’t have another reason to use the alternative.

The practical hierarchy looks like this:

Rank	Spelling	Status
1	curtsy	Preferred modern form
2	curtsey	Correct alternative
3	courtsey	Incorrect

This ranking gives writers a useful answer without falsely suggesting that curtsey is wrong.

If you’re unsure which spelling to type, choose curtsy.

Which One Should You Use?

For most modern writing in the United States, use curtsy.

It’s concise, widely recognized, and listed as the main form by major English dictionaries.

Use curtsey when the context specifically calls for that variant. For example, you might preserve it in a historical quotation or follow a publication that prefers it.

Here’s a quick decision guide:

Situation	Best choice
General American English	curtsy
School assignment	curtsy
Modern blog article	curtsy
Website content	curtsy
Historical quotation	Preserve the original spelling
Source uses curtsey consistently	curtsey can remain
Asking whether curtsey is correct	Yes
Asking whether courtsey is correct	No

There’s no need to overthink it.

When you’re writing in US English and no special context applies, curtsy is the sensible choice.

Quick Decision Guide 

If you need the answer in five seconds, use this checklist:

• Writing in US English? Choose curtsy.
• Wondering whether curtsey is correct? Yes.
• Do curtsy and curtsey have different meanings? No.
• Is curtsey a spelling error? No.
• Is courtsey correct? No.
• Plural of curtsy? Curtsies.
• Plural of curtsey? Curtseys.
• Past tense of curtsy? Curtsied.
• Past tense of curtsey? Curtseyed.
• Best default for modern American writing? Curtsy.

Read More: Barbeque or Barbecue: Correct Spelling, Meaning, and Usage

FAQs

Is curtsy or curtsey the correct spelling?

Both curtsy and curtsey are accepted spellings. Curtsy is more common, especially in American English, while curtsey also appears in British English.

Do curtsy and curtsey have the same meaning?

Yes. Curtsy and curtsey have the same meaning. Both can describe a polite act of bowing, particularly when someone bends the knees slightly.

Is curtsy a noun or a verb?

Curtsy can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it names the gesture. As a verb, it describes the action of making that gesture.

Is courtesy another spelling of curtsy?

No. Courtesy is a different word. It relates to polite behavior, kindness, or respect, while curtsy refers to a formal gesture of bowing.

Is curtsey wrong in American English?

No. Curtsey isn’t wrong in American English. However, curtsy is generally the more familiar and commonly preferred spelling in American writing.

Which spelling should I use in formal writing?

Curtsy is a safe choice for formal writing because it’s widely recognized. You can use it in essays, articles, reports, and other situations where clear spelling matters.

Why are curtsy and curtsey spelled differently?

The two spellings developed as variant forms of the same word. English often keeps multiple spellings for a word, especially when usage develops across different regions and periods.

Can I use curtsy in everyday conversation?

Yes. You can use curtsy when discussing the gesture itself or describing someone performing it. The word works naturally in both everyday and formal contexts.

Is curtsy only associated with royalty?

No. A curtsy is strongly associated with royalty and formal occasions, but the gesture can also appear in performances, traditions, historical settings, and playful situations.

How can I remember the difference between curtsy and courtesy?

Think of curtsy as a physical gesture and courtesy as polite behavior. That simple distinction makes these easily confused words much easier to remember.

Conclusion

Understanding curtsy and curtsey doesn’t have to feel like solving a spelling puzzle with missing pieces. Both forms are accepted, and both refer to the same polite gesture. In most modern writing, curtsy is the easiest choice because readers recognize it quickly.

The word courtesy deserves separate attention because it has a different meaning. It refers to politeness, consideration, or respect, rather than the physical act of bowing. Keeping these meanings separate can prevent common mistakes when you’re writing sentences or explaining the words to others.

For essays, articles, schoolwork, or everyday communication, choosing curtsy is usually a practical approach. If you encounter curtsey in a British text, historical book, or other source, you don’t need to assume it’s an error. Context can explain why the alternate spelling appears.

Once you remember the distinction, curtsy, curtsey, and courtesy become much easier to handle. Focus on the meaning first, then choose the spelling that fits your audience and style. A small spelling difference shouldn’t turn a simple word into a linguistic roadblock.