A courtier is someone who spends time at a royal court, serving and advising a king or queen. In medieval and Renaissance times, courtiers lived in the palace and their days revolved around the monarch. They might help plan royal ceremonies, carry messages, offer advice on important decisions, or simply provide entertaining conversation at dinner.

Being a successful courtier required more than just showing up. You needed to understand complex social rules, know when to speak and when to stay quiet, and carefully navigate rivalries with other courtiers competing for the monarch's favor. A skilled courtier could rise to positions of real power, becoming a trusted advisor who influenced major decisions about war, diplomacy, or law.

While most countries no longer have powerful monarchies, we still use courtier to describe people who constantly seek favor from someone in power. You might hear someone described as acting like a courtier if they're always flattering a boss or trying to win approval from popular students, though the term often carries a hint of criticism when used this way.