Courtesy and Refinement

Courtesy

Courtesy noun - Speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding.
Usage example: a woman who responds to every situation with courtesy and kindness

Refinement is a synonym for courtesy in politeness topic. In some cases you can use "Refinement" instead a noun "Courtesy", when it comes to topics like good manners.

Nearby Word: courteous

Refinement

Refinement noun - A high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts.
Usage example: had a sense of refinement that her small hometown couldn't satisfy, so she moved to New York City to be closer to great museums and concert halls

Courtesy is a synonym for refinement in sophistication topic. Sometimes you can use "Courtesy" instead a noun "Refinement", if it concerns topics such as cultivation.

Nearby Words: refined, refine, refining, refiner

How words are described

simple simple courtesy simple refinement
little little courtesy little refinement
final final courtesy final refinement
few few courtesy few refinement
Other adjectives: mere, later, basic.

Both words in one sentence

  • Video Game / Lost Horizon Fenton lacks the refinement, Lord Weston lacks the integrity, and Huxley lacks the courtesy.
Cite this Source
Refinement and Courtesy. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/courtesy/refinement
Courtesy & Refinement. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/courtesy/refinement>.
Refinement or Courtesy. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/courtesy/refinement.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "courtesy" and "refinement" have occurred on timeline