polite

[puh-lahyt]

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.

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 for polite

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1. well-bred, gracious. See civil. 2. urbane, polished, poised, courtly, cultivated.

Antonyms for polite

1, 2. rude.

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

Related Words for politeness

civility, kindness, charm, culture, refinement

Examples from the Web for politeness

Contemporary Examples of politeness

Humor, blue eyes, and Midwestern politeness: what more could the ladies (and a good portion of the men) of New York want?
The Captain’s Log: Derek Jeter’s Lady-Killing Past, From ‘Yeah, Jeets!’ to Gift Baskets
Emily Shire
September 28, 2014
Until of course even they reach the limit of their politeness.
11 Best Monty Python Moments
Natasha Bach
November 20, 2013
He parried every question and implication that Wallace threw at him with equanimity, humility, politeness, and even humor.
Was Mike Wallace’s Toughest Interview a 12-Year-Old Kid?
Catie Lazarus
April 14, 2012
Used as a humorously exaggerated formula of politeness when refusing food.
Wunnerfitz! Sollybuster! The Fun of the Dictionary of American Regional English
Ammon Shea
April 12, 2012
In a later scene when Smiley interrogates Haydon, they never break through the barrier of politeness.
‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’: Oscar Nominees Gary Oldman and Peter Straughan
Lorenza Muñoz
February 15, 2012

Historical Examples of politeness

You'd better not tell him so, or he might give you a lesson in politeness.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
"Don't let me detain you," said Halbert, with an elaborate share of politeness.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
He was as indefatigable in politeness, as his wife had been in her regimental duties.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
But Mr. Hand, flattered by her politeness, begged her to remain.
The Raid From Beausejour; And How The Carter Boys Lifted The Mortgage
Charles G. D. Roberts
How you oppress me, my dearest friend, with your politeness!
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for politeness

polite

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 politeness

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.