In the following question, select the option which is opposite in meaning to the given word: Courtly.

Introduction / Context:

Antonym questions test your ability to understand not just the meaning of a word, but also its opposite. The adjective courtly is often used to describe very polite, refined, and gracious behaviour, similar to how people might behave in a royal court. To answer correctly, you must select the option that conveys the opposite kind of manner or style.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Target word: Courtly.

- Options: Formal, Elegant, Conventional, Rough.

- Courtly generally refers to refined, polite, and dignified behaviour.

- Only one option should represent a clear opposite in manner or style.

Concept / Approach:

Courtly behaviour is characterised by grace, politeness, and often elaborate courtesy. It suggests smooth, well mannered interactions, similar to those in aristocratic or royal settings. The opposite would be behaviour that is coarse, rude, or lacking in refinement. Among the given options, Rough best expresses this idea of unpolished and possibly rude conduct, while the others are fairly close in meaning to courtly rather than opposite.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Compare sentences such as He greeted her in a courtly manner with He greeted her in a rough manner. The contrast is strong and clear: the first suggests gracious politeness, the second suggests a lack of refinement. If we tried substituting Formal or Elegant, we would get similar or overlapping meanings, not opposites. Conventional describes behaviour that follows accepted standards and therefore does not conflict with courtly etiquette either.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Formal is wrong because it implies proper, well mannered behaviour, which often goes together with being courtly. Elegant is wrong because elegance is a form of refined beauty and grace, which supports the idea of courtly style rather than opposing it. Conventional is wrong because it simply means customary; there is no built in suggestion of rudeness or coarseness. Only Rough carries the negative sense of unrefined or rude behaviour.

Common Pitfalls:

A frequent mistake is to choose a word that is merely different rather than truly opposite. Another pitfall is assuming that any unfamiliar word must be the correct answer. To avoid such errors, always restate the target word in your own language and then look for the option that directly reverses that meaning, not just one that belongs in the same general area of formality or style.

Final Answer:

The word that is opposite in meaning to courtly is Rough.