polite

[puh-lahyt]

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.

polite

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of polite¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of polite¹

C15: from Latin polītus polished; see _polish

Synonym Study

See civil.

Example Sentences

In automatic mode, the car ambles down the boulevard, murmuring, simmering and keeping its immensity hidden from polite society.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She wrote a polite note to the clinic inquiring as to the nature and purpose of the charges.

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A wild, very “polite” and possibly lonely black bear recently paid a visit to its neighbors at a Northern California zoo.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I said that I had a passport. They said, they don't take passports. They want IDs only," Ms Moyo said, hiding her frustration behind a polite smile.

Read more on BBC

He described Stoops’s ability to go from shouting directions at players to polite conversation without so much as a pause.

Read more on 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