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.

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.

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ANTONYMS FOR polite

1, 2 rude.

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Related forms

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
Until of course even they reach the limit of their politeness.
11 Best Monty Python Moments|Natasha Bach|November 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
The captain was on hand and greeted him with a certain awkward courtesy, for politeness was not in his line.
Frontier Boys in Frisco|Wyn Roosevelt
There was no situation, however delicate, that they did not save through tact and politeness.
The Old Furniture Book|N. Hudson Moore
People who make a superstition of politeness infallibly lose the higher courtesy of truth.
The Invader|Margaret L. Woods
Horace treated Mrs. Anderson and the Major with all the politeness he could muster.
Battling the Clouds|Captain Frank Cobb
Meekest man I ever saw, and ought to have a monument for politeness.
Dave Porter in the Far North|Edward Stratemeyer

British Dictionary definitions for politeness

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

polite

adjective, po·lit·er, po·lit·est.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of polite

SYNONYMS FOR polite

ANTONYMS FOR polite

Related forms

Examples from the Web for politeness

British Dictionary definitions for politeness

polite

adjective

Derived Forms

Word Origin for polite