definitions

polite

[ puh-lahyt ]
/ pəˈlaɪt /
||
SEE MORE 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.

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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

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 MORE SYNONYMS FOR polite ON THESAURUS.COM

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 Forms

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