Have you ever typed the word curtsy and paused, wondering if it should be curtsey instead? You are not alone. This is one of those spelling questions that trips up even fluent English speakers and skilled writers. Both spellings exist, both are accepted, and both mean exactly the same thing — yet many people still treat one as wrong and the other as right.
In this guide, you will get a clear, definitive answer on curtsy vs curtsey, understand where each spelling comes from, learn which one belongs in your writing, and see real examples across different contexts. Whether you are writing a formal essay, a news story, or a social media caption, this article has you covered.
Curtsy or Curtsey – Quick Answer
Both “curtsy” and “curtsey” are correct. They are alternative spellings of the same word with the same meaning and the same pronunciation. Curtsy is the preferred spelling in American English, and curtsey appears more frequently in British English — though even British dictionaries such as Cambridge and Oxford list curtsy as the primary form.
If you need a quick rule: use curtsy in almost all contexts. It is more widely recognized, more commonly used in formal writing, and ranks higher in global usage data.
Curtsy
Curtsy (noun/verb) refers to a traditional gesture of respect, primarily performed by women and girls, in which the knees are bent and the body is lowered slightly. As a verb, it means to perform this gesture.
- Plural (noun): curtsies
- Past tense (verb): curtsied
- Present participle: curtsying
Curtsey
Curtsey is a spelling variant of curtsy, more common in older British texts and some Commonwealth writing. It carries the exact same meaning and is used in the same contexts.
- Plural (noun): curtseys
- Past tense (verb): curtseyed
- Present participle: curtseying
Examples:
- She performed a graceful curtsy before the queen.
- The young dancer gave a deep curtsey at the end of her recital.
- The students were taught to curtsy when greeting the headmistress.
- He watched as she curtseyed and then turned to leave the room.
The Origin of Curtsy or Curtsey
Understanding where this word comes from clears up a lot of the spelling confusion.
The word curtsy is a phonological reduction — linguists call this syncope — of the word courtesy. In Middle English, the term was spelled curtisie or curteisie, borrowed from the Old French word courtisie, which meant politeness, grace, or civility associated with courtly behavior. That, in turn, came from the French courteis, describing someone gracious and well-mannered.
By the 16th century, the gesture of bowing respectfully had become so associated with the act of showing courtesy that the word itself shortened into curtsy or curtsey. Merriam-Webster records the first known use of the noun form in 1533, and the verb form appears in texts from around 1553.
The spelling curtsey is the older written form, appearing in works by Charles Dickens (Barnaby Rudge, 1841) and George Eliot (Silas Marner, 1861). Over time, the shorter curtsy became dominant in print, particularly after American English standardized its spelling conventions in the 19th century.
British English vs American English Spelling
One of the most common reasons people encounter both spellings is the longstanding divide between British and American English. Many words in English have two accepted spellings depending on which side of the Atlantic you are on — think colour/color, honour/honor, or analyse/analyze.
With curtsy and curtsey, the divide is less strict than people assume. Both major British dictionaries — Cambridge and Oxford — list curtsy as the preferred or primary spelling, with curtsey noted as a variant. American dictionaries like Merriam-Webster list curtsy as the main entry and curtsey as an alternative.
In practice, curtsey appears more often in older British literature and some Commonwealth contexts, while curtsy dominates in modern publishing on both sides of the Atlantic.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Curtsy | Curtsey |
| Spelling | Curtsy | Curtsey |
| Primary Usage | American English | British English (older/variant) |
| Cambridge Dictionary | Primary entry | Variant |
| Oxford Dictionary | Primary entry | Variant |
| Merriam-Webster | Primary entry | Alternative |
| Plural | Curtsies | Curtseys |
| Past Tense | Curtsied | Curtseyed |
| Frequency (Global) | More common | Less common |
| Style Guides | Preferred | Acceptable |
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The answer is simple: use curtsy.
Here is why:
- It is the primary spelling in nearly every major English dictionary.
- It is the more commonly used form in modern writing worldwide.
- It is the safer choice if you are unsure of your audience’s regional preferences.
- For SEO, formal writing, and academic work, curtsy is the standard.
The only reason to choose curtsey is if you are writing in a historical or literary context where the older British spelling fits the tone — for example, a Victorian-era novel or a piece deliberately styled after 19th-century prose.
The key point: neither spelling is wrong. If your editor, style guide, or regional convention prefers one, follow that. If you have no such guidance, default to curtsy.
Common Mistakes with Curtsy or Curtsey
Even once you know both spellings are valid, writers still make predictable errors. Here are the most common ones:
1. Spelling it courtsey or courtsie These are incorrect. The word is not spelled with an “o” in the middle — that belongs to courtesy, a different (though related) word. Courtsey is a common misspelling and not accepted by any major dictionary.
2. Confusing curtsy with courtesy These words share the same root, but they are not the same. Courtesy means politeness or respectful behavior. Curtsy is the specific physical gesture. You can say “she showed courtesy by performing a curtsy” — they are related but not interchangeable.
3. Incorrect pluralization The plural of curtsy is curtsies, not curtsys or curtseys. This follows standard English spelling rules for words ending in a consonant + y.
4. Mixing tenses inconsistently If you start an article or story using curtsy, use curtsied as the past tense — not curtseyed. Mixing forms (curtsied and curtseyed in the same piece) looks inconsistent and unprofessional.
5. Applying it to men While technically the gesture exists in a masculine form (men typically bow), curtsy is traditionally and overwhelmingly used to describe a gesture performed by women or girls. Using it for men without context can confuse readers.
Curtsy or Curtsey in Everyday Examples
Seeing how the word appears in different writing contexts helps you use it naturally and correctly.
1. Formal Writing
The diplomat’s daughter entered the room and gave a brief curtsy before taking her place at the table. The gesture, though small, communicated the respect expected at such a gathering.
2. News Article
Princess Charlotte, attending her first official royal event, surprised onlookers with a polished curtsy that drew praise from royal commentators. The young royal’s composure was noted as exceptional for her age.
3. Social Media
Practiced my curtsy for three hours and I still look like I’m falling. How do ballet dancers make this look so effortless? 👑
4. Email (Formal Context)
Dear Ms. Ashford,
As discussed, the students will be instructed in formal etiquette, including the correct way to perform a curtsy when introduced to a guest of honor. The session will take place on Friday afternoon.
Curtsy or Curtsey – Google Trends & Usage Data
When we look at search volume and writing frequency data, the gap between the two spellings is clear. Curtsy consistently outperforms curtsey in global search trends, publishing databases, and corpus linguistics tools like Google Ngram Viewer.
In the Google Books Ngram corpus (which analyzes millions of books across centuries), curtsy surpassed curtsey in frequency during the late 20th century and has maintained that lead ever since. The crossover point appears to have occurred around the 1960s–1970s, as American English publishing standards became more globally influential.
Country Trends:
| 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
| Category | Curtsy | Curtsey |
| Correct? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Part of Speech | Noun & Verb | Noun & Verb |
| Meaning | Respectful bending of knees | Same as curtsy |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɜːrt.si/ | /ˈkɜːrt.si/ (identical) |
| Dictionary Preference | Primary | Variant / Alternative |
| Modern Usage | More common | Less common |
| Recommended for SEO | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Use as secondary keyword |
| Recommended for General Writing | ✅ Yes | Context-dependent |
| Found in Classic Literature | Yes | Yes (more frequent historically) |
| Used in Ballet/Performance | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
The debate between curtsy and curtsey has a clear winner for practical writing purposes: use curtsy. It is the form preferred by every major dictionary, used more frequently in global publishing, and safer for formal, academic, and digital writing.
That said, curtsey is not wrong. It is a fully accepted spelling variant with centuries of literary use behind it. If you are writing historical fiction, working within a British publishing house that prefers the older form, or simply have a preference for it — go ahead and use it with confidence.
What matters most is consistency. Choose one spelling and stick with it throughout your document, article, or manuscript. Mixing curtsy and curtsey in the same piece is the only real mistake to avoid.
Understanding small spelling differences like this one is part of what separates polished writing from careless writing. Now that you know the full story behind both forms, you can make that choice deliberately and correctly.
