Phrase guide

courtly love

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A mediaeval European conception of noble and chivalrous love, generally secret and between members of the nobility.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

(Middle Ages) a highly conventionalized code of conduct for lovers

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: code of conduct, code of behavior

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: amor cortès — Translations
  • Dutch: hoofse liefde — Translations
  • Finnish: hovirakkaus — Translations
  • French: amour courtois — Translations
  • German: Minne — Translations
  • Italian: amor cortese — Translations
  • Occitan: fin'amor — Translations
  • Polish: miłość dworska — Translations
  • Portuguese: amor cortês — Translations
  • Russian: куртуа́зная любо́вь (kurtuáznaja ljubóvʹ) — Translations
  • Spanish: amor cortés — Translations