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Ceremony vs Courtesy - What's the difference?

ceremony | courtesy |

As nouns the difference between ceremony and courtesy

is that ceremony is a ritual with religious significance while courtesy is (uncountable) polite behavior.

As a verb courtesy is

.

As an adjective courtesy is

given or done as a polite gesture.

ceremony

English

(wikipedia ceremony)

Alternative forms

* (both archaic)

Noun

(ceremonies)
  • A ritual with religious significance.
  • An official gathering to celebrate, commemorate, or otherwise mark some event.
  • A formal socially established behaviour, often in relation to people of different ranks.
  • (obsolete) An omen or portent.
  • * 1599 , , II. i. 197:
    • For he is superstitious grown of late, / Quite from the main opinion he held once / Of fantasy, of dreams, and ceremonies.
  • * 1599 , , II. ii. 14:
    • Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, / Yet now they fright me.

    Derived terms

    * ceremonial * ceremonially * ceremonialness * ceremonious * ceremoniously * ceremoniousness * ramp ceremony

    External links

    * * * *

    courtesy

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) Polite behavior.
    • Please extend them the courtesy of your presence.
  • (countable) A polite gesture or remark.
    • I offered them a ride simply as a courtesy .
  • * Shakespeare
    • My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you.
  • (uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.
    • They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
  • (uncountable) Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.
    • They received free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
  • A curtsey.
  • * Goldsmith
    • The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual.

    Derived terms

    * courtesy call * courtesy card * courtesy copy * courtesy name * courtesy of

    Derived terms

    * courtesy of

    Verb

  • * Samuel Richardson
    • Well, but Polly attended, as I said; and there were strange simperings, and bowing, and courtesying , between them; the honest gentleman seeming not to know how to let his mistress wait upon him

    Adjective

    courtesy (no comparative or superlative''; ''used only before the noun )
  • Given or done as a polite gesture.
    • We paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
  • Free of charge.
    • The event planners offered courtesy tickets for the reporters.

    Synonyms

    * free of charge

    References