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Courtesy vs Decorum - What's the difference?

courtesy | decorum |

In uncountable terms the difference between courtesy and decorum

is that courtesy is willingness or generosity in providing something needed while decorum is appropriate social behavior; propriety.

In countable terms the difference between courtesy and decorum

is that courtesy is a polite gesture or remark while decorum is a convention of social behavior.

As a verb courtesy

is alternative form of lang=en.

As an adjective courtesy

is given or done as a polite gesture.

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

    decorum

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) Appropriate social behavior; propriety
  • * 2010 — , This Isn't What It Looks Like , ch. 4
    • It was sort of a finishing school. You know, to teach proper social decorum and so on and so forth.
  • (countable) A convention of social behavior

    • Related terms

    * decorous