Curtsy or Curtsey: Which Spelling Is Right? Find Out Here
Have you ever typed a word, stopped, and wondered if it looks wrong? The curtsy or curtsey question causes that pause for many writers. Both forms appear in books, news, and dictionaries, so the confusion makes sense.
Fortunately, the answer is simple. This guide explains the correct spelling, the meaning, the history, and real usage data. By the end, you will know exactly which form to choose for any piece of writing.
Curtsy or Curtsey – Quick Answer
Both spellings are correct. They share the same meaning and the same pronunciation. Dictionaries treat curtsy as the main form, while curtsey stays as a spelling variant. So, the curtsy vs curtsey debate has a clear winner.
If you want a quick rule, use curtsy almost everywhere. It looks familiar to readers, fits formal writing, and ranks higher in global usage. Choose curtsey only when you want an older, literary feel in your text.
Curtsy
Curtsy works as both a noun and a verb. It describes a gesture of respect, usually by women and girls, where the person bends the knees and lowers the body slightly. Many people still use it in formal settings.
Its forms are easy to remember. The plural is curtsies, the past tense is curtsied, and the present participle is curtsying. Notice that the y changes to ies, just like in many other English words.
Curtsey
Curtsey is the older written variant. You will see it in classic British novels and some Commonwealth writing. It carries the exact same meaning as curtsy, so readers understand it without any trouble in any context.
Its forms keep the e. The plural is curtseys, the past tense is curtseyed, and the present participle is curtseying. However, mixing these with curtsy forms in one text looks careless, so pick one set.
Examples:
Examples help a lot here. She gave a graceful curtsy before the queen. The young dancer offered a deep curtsey after her recital. These sentences show the noun form in both spellings.
Verbs work the same way. The students learned to curtsy when they greeted the headmistress. Then he watched as she curtseyed and left the room. As you see, the meaning never changes.
The Origin of Curtsy or Curtsey
The word curtsy comes from courtesy. Linguists call this shortening syncope, or phonological reduction. In Middle English, people wrote curtisie or curteisie, borrowed from the Old French word courtisie, which meant politeness and courtly grace.
By the 16th century, the gesture and the idea of courtesy had merged. Merriam-Webster dates the noun to 1533 and the verb to around 1553. Later, Charles Dickens and George Eliot used the older curtsey spelling.
British English vs American English Spelling
English often splits into two accepted spellings, like colour and color or honour and honor. Many readers expect the same split here. However, curtsy and curtsey follow a looser pattern than those classic pairs.
Cambridge, Oxford, and Merriam-Webster all list curtsy as the primary entry. Curtsey appears more in older British literature and Commonwealth writing. Therefore, modern publishers on both sides of the Atlantic favor curtsy.
Comparison Table
The table below shows the main differences at a glance. It covers usage, dictionary status, and word forms. Use it as a quick reference when you edit your own work.
Notice how the pattern stays consistent. Curtsy leads in every row that matters for modern writing. Curtsey stays acceptable, but it works best in historical or literary settings.
| Feature | Curtsy | Curtsey |
| Usage | Modern, global | Older British, Commonwealth |
| Cambridge and Oxford | Primary entry | Variant |
| Merriam-Webster | Primary entry | Alternative |
| Plural | Curtsies | Curtseys |
| Past tense | Curtsied | Curtseyed |
| Frequency | More common | Less common |
| Style guides | Preferred | Acceptable |
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use curtsy. Major dictionaries list it first, readers recognize it quickly, and it suits formal, academic, and online writing. It also protects you when you do not know your audience’s regional preferences.
Choose curtsey only for historical or literary writing, such as a Victorian-style story. Whatever you pick, stay consistent. Mixing both spellings in one piece is the only real mistake you can make here.
Common Mistakes with Curtsy or Curtsey
Writers often spell it courtsey or courtsie, but no major dictionary accepts those misspellings. The o belongs to courtesy. Similarly, people confuse the two words, although courtesy means politeness and curtsy means the physical gesture.
Plurals cause trouble too. The correct plural is curtsies, not curtsys. Also, avoid mixing curtsied and curtseyed in one text. Finally, remember that curtsy usually describes women and girls, while men typically bow.
Curtsy or Curtsey in Everyday Examples
Seeing a word in context makes it stick. The next examples show how curtsy fits into formal writing, news, social media, and email. Each one keeps the tone natural and easy to follow.
Use them as templates for your own work. You can swap in curtsey if your style guide asks for it. Just remember to keep the spelling consistent across the whole document.
Formal Writing
Formal writing needs precise, polished words. Here is a sample: “The diplomat’s daughter entered the room and gave a brief curtsy before taking her seat. The small gesture showed the respect that the gathering expected.”
This style suits essays, reports, and fiction. Curtsy keeps the tone clean and professional. Moreover, it spares you any questions from editors about regional spelling.
News Article
News writing favors short, clear sentences. For example: “Princess Charlotte surprised onlookers at her first official royal event with a polished curtsy. Royal commentators praised her composure for such a young age.”
Journalists nearly always choose curtsy. It matches most modern style guides. As a result, readers see a familiar spelling and focus on the story instead.
Social Media
Social posts sound casual and fun. Here is a sample caption: “Practiced my curtsy for three hours and I still look like I’m falling. How do ballet dancers make this look so effortless? 👑”
Short captions benefit from the shorter spelling. Curtsy is also easier to search, so posts reach more people. Therefore, skip curtsey unless you want a vintage vibe.
Email (Formal Context)
Formal email needs a polite tone and clear details. Here is a sample: “Dear Ms. Ashford, the students will learn formal etiquette, including how to perform a curtsy when they meet a guest of honor. The session runs Friday afternoon.”
Notice the simple wording and the single spelling. Clear emails avoid confusion. Besides, curtsy appears in most etiquette guides, so recipients recognize it right away.
Curtsy or Curtsey – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search and publishing data show a clear gap. Curtsy beats curtsey in global search trends, publishing databases, and corpus linguistics tools like Google Ngram Viewer. Readers simply meet the shorter form more often.
In the Google Books Ngram corpus, curtsy passed curtsey around the 1960s and 1970s. It has held the lead since then. American publishing standards likely helped, as they gained global influence.
Country Trends:
Country patterns look similar. The United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and India all prefer curtsy. British writers still treat curtsey as a recognized variant, though it appears less often.
South Africa stands out slightly, since writers there use both forms. Even so, curtsy remains the safer choice. Check the table below for the full picture.
| Region | Preferred spelling |
| United States | Curtsy |
| United Kingdom | Curtsy (curtsey as variant) |
| Australia | Curtsy |
| Canada | Curtsy |
| India | Curtsy |
| South Africa | Curtsy / Curtsey (both used) |
Comparison Table: Curtsy vs Curtsey
This final table brings everything together. It compares correctness, part of speech, meaning, pronunciation, and recommended use. Scan it quickly whenever you doubt which form to pick.
Both words are correct and sound identical, as /ˈkɜːrt.si/. Still, curtsy wins on dictionary preference and modern usage. Curtsey works best as a stylistic choice for historical or literary pieces.
| Category | Curtsy | Curtsey |
| Correct? | Yes | Yes |
| Part of speech | Noun and verb | Noun and verb |
| Meaning | Respectful bending of knees | Same as curtsy |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɜːrt.si/ | Identical |
| Dictionary preference | Primary | Variant |
| Modern usage | More common | Less common |
| General writing | Recommended | Context-dependent |
| Classic literature | Yes | Yes (more frequent historically) |
Conclusion
The curtsy or curtsey debate has a simple answer. Both spellings are correct, mean the same thing, and sound identical. However, curtsy is the primary form in Cambridge, Oxford, and Merriam-Webster, and it dominates modern writing. Therefore, use curtsy as your safe default. Choose curtsey only for historical fiction or when a style guide asks for it. Most importantly, stay consistent. Pick one spelling, use its matching plural and past tense, and keep it from start to finish. That one habit keeps your writing polished.
FAQs
Is it curtsy or curtsey?
Both are correct and mean the same thing. Curtsy is the preferred spelling in major English dictionaries, while curtsey is an accepted and older variant.
What does curtsy mean?
Curtsy means a respectful gesture where a person bends the knees and lowers the body slightly. People use it to greet royalty, elders, or guests.
Which spelling does British English use?
British dictionaries such as Cambridge and Oxford list curtsy first. Curtsey appears as a variant, mostly in older literature and Commonwealth writing, so curtsy wins.
What are the plural and past tense?
The plural of curtsy is curtsies, and the past tense is curtsied. For curtsey, use curtseys and curtseyed. Never write curtsys, and keep one spelling.
How is curtsy different from courtesy?
Courtesy means polite, respectful behavior, while curtsy is the specific physical gesture. They share the same root, but you cannot swap them in a sentence.
Read more: Outting or Outing: Which Spelling Is Correct in English Today?
