polite

[ puh-lahyt ]

/ pəˈlaɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR polite ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Words nearby polite

polished, polished rice, polit., polit. econ., politburo, polite, politesse, politian, politic, political, political action committees

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.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR polite ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR polite

1, 2 rude.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR polite ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM polite

po·lite·ly, adverbpo·lite·ness, nounsu·per·po·lite, adjectivesu·per·po·lite·ly, adverb

su·per·po·lite·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for politely

From behind a curtain, Trudeau is politely coaching the actors through the scene, encouraging them to go bigger.
Inside the Political Fun House: How ‘Alpha House’ Became Amazon’s First Big Hit|Kevin Fallon|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After politely considering the idea, Stewart declined, the magazine reported.
Jon Stewart and 'Meet The Press' Would Have Been One Unhappy Marriage|Lloyd Grove|October 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Demurely they poured drinks and politely tried to speak English.
Bar-Hopping With the Kyoto Geisha|Liza Foreman|September 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We are now in day six of our on-air spring membership drive for WPNQ, and we really have to —politely!
How to Survive a Public Radio Membership Drive|Kelly Williams Brown|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Prabhakar is politely being asked to vacate his city and his home.
India’s Newest State Telangana Is Bosnia Redux|Kranti Rai|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"I can look after meself, thank you for nothink," retorted Mr. Rabbit politely.
Dead Man's Love|Tom Gallon
Explain to her as politely as possible that I am not able to see any visitors to-day.
The Intriguers|William Le Queux
I politely state my case to this personage, who cannot make apologies and promises enough.
Madame Chrysantheme|Pierre Loti
How equally sweetly and politely do you express yourself on this occasion!
Clarissa, Volume 6 (of 9)|Samuel Richardson
Mr Sudberry politely stepped to one side, and made way for them.
Freaks on the Fells|R.M. Ballantyne

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 forms of polite

politely, 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

polite

adjective, po·lit·er, po·lit·est.

Words related to polite

Words nearby polite

Origin of polite

SYNONYMS FOR polite

ANTONYMS FOR polite

OTHER WORDS FROM polite

Examples from the Web for politely

British Dictionary definitions for politely

adjective

Derived forms of polite

Word Origin for polite