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

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Wearing a blouse decorated with orange poppies, the bespectacled Barrios looked every bit the polite pol that O.C. leaders had taken her to be.

Read more on 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