Curtesy or Courtesy: What’s the Difference? (With Examples)
Only one of these spellings is correct. Courtesy is the standard spelling for polite, considerate behavior — and for the phrase ‘by courtesy of.’ Curtesy is a common misspelling that does not appear in standard dictionaries.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer
| Word | Part of Speech | Main Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtesy | Noun (also adjective) | Polite behavior; a polite act; “by courtesy of” = provided by | “Common courtesy costs nothing.” |
| Curtesy | — (misspelling) | Not a standard English word | “He typed ‘curtesy’ instead of ‘courtesy.'” |
Simple rule: courtesy contains the word “court” — picture good manners at a royal court, and you will keep the O.
What Does Curtesy Mean?
Curtesy has no accepted meaning in English. It is what “courtesy” looks like when the O is accidentally left out — a frequent typo in emails, reviews, and social media posts. You will not find it defined in any major dictionary.
Examples:
- The hotel review praised the staff’s “curtesy” — it meant “courtesy.”
- She wrote “as a curtesy” in the email instead of “as a courtesy.”
- The sign thanked customers for their “curtesy and patience.”
- His comment said, “Show some curtesy,” and everyone understood anyway.
What Does Courtesy Mean?
Courtesy is a standard noun meaning polite, respectful behavior — and it has a couple of useful extended senses. See Merriam-Webster’s definition of courtesy for the complete entry.
Courtesy as Polite Behavior
The quality of being polite and considerate toward others, or a specific polite act.
Examples:
- Please extend every guest the courtesy of a reply.
- Holding the door open is a simple courtesy.
- She treated the staff with unfailing courtesy.
- Common courtesy says you should thank your host.
- He apologized with genuine courtesy, not just empty words.
- They showed every visitor the courtesy of a personal tour.
“By Courtesy Of” and Courtesy as an Adjective
The phrase “by courtesy of” means “provided by” — as in photos credited to a source. As an adjective, “courtesy” describes something given free or as a polite gesture, like a courtesy car or a courtesy call.
Examples:
- Photos by courtesy of the city museum.
- The dealership lent us a courtesy car while ours was repaired.
- The manager made a courtesy call to apologize for the delay.
- Refreshments were provided courtesy of the organizers.
Curtesy vs. Courtesy: Key Differences
| Feature | Curtesy | Courtesy |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | C-U-R-T-E-S-Y | C-O-U-R-T-E-S-Y |
| Status | Misspelling | Correct, standard word |
| In dictionaries? | No | Yes |
| Meaning | None | Politeness; a polite gesture; “provided by” |
| Related words | — | Courteous, courteously, court |
| Safe to use | No — looks like an error | Yes |
One missing O is the whole story: curtesy is the slip, courtesy is the standard. Every related word — courteous, courteously — keeps the O too.
Curtesy vs. Courtesy in Real Sentences
At Work
Courtesy: “As a courtesy, we notify all clients before scheduled maintenance.”
Curtesy: “The memo said ‘as a curtesy’ — HR fixed the typo.”
Business writing demands the full “courtesy” spelling.
At Home
Courtesy: “It was a courtesy to call before dropping by.”
Curtesy: “Grandma’s note thanked us for our ‘curtesy’ — bless her.”
Even a charming typo is still a typo.
In Conversation
Courtesy: “Photos courtesy of the wedding photographer.”
Curtesy: “The caption read ‘curtesy of’ and a follower corrected it.”
Credits and captions look sloppy with the O missing.
In Travel
Courtesy: “The hotel’s courtesy shuttle runs to the airport every twenty minutes.”
Curtesy: “The brochure advertised a ‘curtesy bus’ — the typo made it into print.”
Travel perks are always spelled “courtesy.”
Common Mistakes
Dropped letters cause mix-ups across English, from desert or dessert to recieve vs receive. This pair is the same kind of slip.
Mistake 1: Dropping the O in emails
❌ “Thank you for your curtesy.”
✅ “Thank you for your courtesy.”
Why: in professional messages, the misspelling undermines the politeness you are trying to express.
Mistake 2: Writing “curtesy call”
❌ “The salesman made a curtesy call.”
✅ “The salesman made a courtesy call.”
Why: the adjective form follows the noun — always “courtesy.”
Mistake 3: “Curtesy of” in photo credits
❌ “Image curtesy of the archives.”
✅ “Image courtesy of the archives.”
Why: the set phrase is “courtesy of,” with the O intact.
Mistake 4: Assuming “curtesy” is a shorter variant
❌ “Curtesy is just the informal spelling.”
✅ “Courtesy is the only correct spelling, formal or informal.”
Why: there is no accepted short form — “curtesy” is wrong in every register.
Pronunciation
Courtesy is pronounced “KUR-tuh-see” — the stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with curtsey (the bow — a different word entirely) and sounds close to “nurture” without the N. The O in the middle is silent, which is why writers drop it — but the spelling needs it.
How to Remember the Difference
Courtesy hides the word court inside it: C-O-U-R-T. Picture elegant manners at a royal court, and the O will never go missing. Every relative — courteous, courteously — keeps it too.
- Courtesy = C-O-U-R-T-E-S-Y — “court” + “esy.”
- Curtesy = the O-less typo — if there’s no “court” inside, it’s wrong.
- Say “court-uh-see” in your head when you write it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it curtesy or courtesy?
It is courtesy. “Curtesy” is a misspelling with no dictionary entry.
What does “by courtesy of” mean?
It means “provided by” — used for credits, as in “Music by courtesy of the orchestra.”
What is the adjective form of courtesy?
Two options: courteous describes a polite person (“a courteous reply”), while “courtesy” itself works attributively (“a courtesy car”).
Why do people spell it “curtesy”?
The middle O is silent in speech (“KUR-tuh-see”), so fast writers skip it. The spelling, however, keeps it.
What is the difference between “courtesy” and “courteous”?
Courtesy is the noun — the polite behavior itself (“Thank you for your courtesy”). Courteous is the adjective describing someone who shows it (“a courteous driver”). Both keep the O after the C.
Is it “courtesy of” or “by courtesy of”?
Both are correct and mean the same thing: “provided by.” “By courtesy of” is the fuller, slightly more formal version, while “courtesy of” is the common shortened form you see in photo credits.
Is “curtesy” ever correct?
No — not as a variant, not informally, not regionally. Always write “courtesy.”
Conclusion
Courtesy is the correct spelling for polite behavior, polite gestures, and the phrase “by courtesy of.” Curtesy is simply a misspelling born of a silent O. Spot the “court” inside the word, and you will spell it right every time.
