English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Courteous Pronunciation
Courteous is pronounced KUR-tee-uhs, IPA /ˈkɝtiəs/.
KUR-tee-uhs
US /ˈkɝtiəs/ · UK /ˈkɜːtiəs/
Syllables: KUR · tee · uhs (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: Polite and respectful in manner.
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Courteous in a Sentence
- The driver was courteous about the delay.
- A courteous reply arrived the next morning.
- Staff are expected to stay courteous under pressure.
Common Mispronunciations of Courteous
Not KAWR-tee-uhs
The our here is not the our of court. It reduces to the ur of curb, so the word opens KUR.
Not kur-TEE-uhs
Three beats with the weight on the first. A middle peak makes it sound like a Latin ending bolted onto an English stem.
Tip: Courteous and courtesy share the same opening ur. Courtier and courtyard, which really do come from court, keep the aw.
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