noun
courtier
KAW-teer
noun
1
A person who attends a royal court, often trying to gain favor with the monarch.
"The king was surrounded by ambitious courtiers."
"She played the role of a scheming courtier in the play."
How to Use Courtier
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who serves or seeks favor at a royal court, sometimes with a hint of flattery or scheming.
Common pairings
royal courtier
flattering courtier
Word Forms
courtiers plural
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The king was surrounded by ambitious _____.
Etymology
From Old French cortoiier, related to "court" plus the agent suffix -ier.