politesse

American  

[pol-i-tes, paw-lee-tes] / ˌpɒl ɪˈtɛs, pɔ liˈtɛs /

noun

1. formal politeness; courtesy.

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politesse British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈtɛs /

noun

1. formal or genteel politeness

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Etymology

Origin of politesse

1710–20; < French: originally clean or polished state < Italian politezza, variant of pulitezza (derivative of polito polite )

Explanation

Politesse is another word for good manners or etiquette. Your grandparents might complain that the biggest problem with the internet is that there's just no politesse at all. Some other ways to say politesse are "courtesy" or "civility." It's a slightly fancy way to talk about treating other people politely and kindly. As you might guess, politesse shares a root with polite, the Latin politus, which means "refined" or "elegant." Especially in formal or solemn situations, it's important to treat others with politesse.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

politesse

The happy tourists don’t notice Park Chan-wook, the cinematic master behind such tours de force as “Oldboy” and “Decision to Leave,” projecting thoughtful politesse beside him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2025

But Lorraine's politesse has limits, as a pair of Minnesota’s finest find when they pay a visit to her office to inquire about her daughter-in-law’s connection to a North Dakota crime.

From Salon ● Nov. 29, 2023

The background to all of this politesse, as the French newspapers made clear, was about nurturing a relationship that might have been strained by Brexit.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2023

She’s not so much a train wreck as the train that wrecks the stasis of smothering politesse; the best woman for the job.

From New York Times ● Jan. 19, 2023

Too much politesse, however, might poison a womans prospects for advancement.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly