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

Explanation

Polite means showing regards for others in manners, speech, and behavior. Since you are a polite dinner guest, you thank the host for inviting you and, even though you think the chicken is not cooked to perfection, you tell her you are enjoying the meal. The adjective polite comes from the mid-13th century Latin politus, which means "refined" or "elegant." Showing consideration for others, using tact, and observing social norms are the qualities of being polite. The opposite of polite is rude. Because the poet E.E. Cummings thought imagination is most important, he wrote, “Knowledge is a polite word for dead but not buried imagination.”

Example Sentences

He was well spoken and polite, so his bosses soon began sending him on the most important jobs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

It is impossible to imagine what the author would have made of the decades that followed; he belonged, inescapably, to the polite world he had spent his life describing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

They are polite background noise — the culinary equivalent of a cubicle in a Schaumburg office park.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

Grok, powered by Musk’s xAI, is positioned as the raw alternative to its more polite competitors.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

Ethan stood and offered me a polite hand to help me up.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

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