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

• politeness noun
• politely adverb
• 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

Cameras “are never a problem if you treat people with respect and you’re polite.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I also want to eliminate any doubt in your mind that you weren’t a polite host.

Read more on MarketWatch

It’s like they’re being polite: “OK, you can have the toy for 15 minutes . . . . but don’t forget who it belongs to.”

Read more on Salon

They said they had raised the matter with their local councillor, Nicola Matthews, who had offered her support in tackling the issue, adding council officials had been polite and sympathetic.

Read more on BBC

Tuipulotu is one of the game's great communicators, an unfailingly humble and polite man, and for him to come out as strongly as he did was not a side we have seen from him before.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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