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definitions

polite

[ puh-lahyt ]
/ pəˈlaɪt /
||
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adjective, po·lit·er, po·lit·est.

showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.; courteous; civil: a polite reply.
refined or cultured: polite society.
of a refined or elegant kind: polite learning.

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RELATED WORDS

kindly, cordially, gently, respectfully, graciously, amiably, attentively, tactfully, courteously, agreeably, gracefully, affably, benignantly, civilly, compassionately, concernedly, considerately, elegantly, gallantly, sociably

Nearby words

  1. polished,
  2. polished rice,
  3. polit.,
  4. polit. econ.,
  5. politburo,
  6. politely,
  7. politesse,
  8. politian,
  9. politic,
  10. political

Origin of polite

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin polītus, past participle of polīre to polish
SYNONYMS FOR polite
1. well-bred, gracious. See civil. 2. urbane, polished, poised, courtly, cultivated.
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ANTONYMS FOR polite
1, 2. rude.
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Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for politely

British Dictionary definitions for politely

polite

/ (pəˈlaɪt) /

adjective

showing regard for others, in manners, speech, behaviour, etc; courteous
cultivated or refinedpolite society
elegant or polishedpolite letters
Derived Formspolitely, adverbpoliteness, noun

Word Origin for polite

C15: from Latin polītus polished; see polish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for politely

polite

adj.

late 14c., "polished, burnished" (mid-13c. as a surname), from Latin politus "refined, elegant, accomplished," literally "polished," past participle of polire "to polish, to make smooth" (see polish (v.)). Used literally at first in English; sense of "elegant, cultured" is first recorded c.1500, that of "behaving courteously" is 1748 (implied in politely). Related: Politeness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper