polite

American  

[puh-lahyt] / pəˈlaɪt /

adjective

politer, politest

1. showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.; courteous; civil.

   a polite reply.

   Synonyms:

   gracious, well-bred

   Antonyms:

   rude

2. refined or cultured.

   polite society.

   Synonyms:

   cultivated, courtly, poised, polished, urbane

3. of a refined or elegant kind.

   polite learning.

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polite British  

/ pəˈlaɪt /

adjective

1. showing regard for others, in manners, speech, behaviour, etc; courteous

2. cultivated or refined

   polite society

3. elegant or polished

   polite letters

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Related Words

See civil.

Other Word Forms

• politely adverb
• politeness noun
• superpolite adjective
• superpoliteness noun

Etymology

Origin of polite

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin polītus, past participle of polīre “to polish”; polish

Example Sentences

Did the team ask good questions or slide into polite agreement?

From The Wall Street Journal

He wasn’t only smart, he was very polite, too.

From Literature

And the fact that the dinner was due to finish with his comments, I don’t think it was either polite nor appropriate.

From The Wall Street Journal

One of the more polite children at our doomed gathering explained that she only liked the pink and blue frosting on supermarket cakes.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the next 20 years the Apostles and their associates welcomed him in their homes, gave him financial support and guaranteed his access to polite society.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affable
• amiable
• attentive
• civil
• conciliatory
• considerate
• cordial
• courteous
• courtly
• deferential
• diplomatic
• friendly
• genteel
• gentle
• good-natured
• gracious
• neighborly
• pleasant
• respectful
• sociable