Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

polite

[puh-lahyt]
See more synonyms for polite on Thesaurus.com
adjective, po·lit·er, po·lit·est.
  1. showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.; courteous; civil: a polite reply.
  2. refined or cultured: polite society.
  3. of a refined or elegant kind: polite learning.
Show More

Origin of polite

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin polītus, past participle of polīre to polish
Related formspo·lite·ly, adverbpo·lite·ness, nounsu·per·po·lite, adjectivesu·per·po·lite·ly, adverbsu·per·po·lite·ness, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. well-bred, gracious. See civil. 2. urbane, polished, poised, courtly, cultivated.

Antonyms

1, 2. rude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

kindlycordiallygentlyrespectfullygraciouslyamiablyattentivelytactfullycourteouslyagreeablygracefullyaffablybenignantlycivillycompassionatelyconcernedlyconsideratelyelegantlygallantlysociably

Examples from the Web for politely

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • "Your committee," said Mr. Durant, politely ignoring the manner of the questioner.

  • "You'll find a car a great comfort, I'm sure," he said politely.

    K

    Mary Roberts Rinehart

  • I don't like to say things like that, though I'm sure I always try to say them politely.

  • John politely asked Mrs. Bothwell to join them, but she declined.

    The Foolish Lovers

    St. John G. Ervine

  • Greeting me, however, cheerfully and politely, she at once entered into conversation.

    In the Heart of Vosges

    Matilda Betham-Edwards

British Dictionary definitions for politely

polite

adjective
  1. showing regard for others, in manners, speech, behaviour, etc; courteous
  2. cultivated or refinedpolite society
  3. elegant or polishedpolite letters
Show More
Derived Formspolitely, adverbpoliteness, noun

Word Origin

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper