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

She described him as "kind, polite and gentle".

From BBC

It’s stiff karaoke that earns a confounded polite clap.

From Los Angeles Times

British people are far too polite to ever tell the truth about anything, which makes us all potential murderers.

From Los Angeles Times

"Under my leadership, the Liberal Democrats would not be making polite interjections from the sidelines," he once said.

From BBC

Soft-spoken, polite to waitstaff, engaged with each other without ever so much as glancing at a phone.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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