polite

American

[puh-lahyt] / pəˈlaɪt /

adjective

politer, politest

showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.; courteous; civil.

a polite reply.

Synonyms:

gracious, well-bred

Antonyms:

rude
refined or cultured.

polite society.

Synonyms:

cultivated, courtly, poised, polished, urbane
of a refined or elegant kind.

polite learning.

polite British

/ pəˈlaɪt /

adjective

showing regard for others, in manners, speech, behaviour, etc; courteous
cultivated or refined

polite society
elegant or polished

polite letters

"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

Related Words

See civil.

Other Word Forms

politely adverb
politeness noun
superpolite adjective
superpoliteness noun

Etymology

Origin of polite

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin polītus, past participle of polīre “to polish”; polish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Let’s talk about your board in a polite way.

From The Wall Street Journal

So on “SNL,” as Storrie’s monologue winds down, we see the Hughes brothers take the stage to polite applause and a few hoots.

From Salon

"Upon meeting him at first, he seemed polite," said Phoebe, who was 18 at the time.

From BBC

Hannie hands him her papers and after a cursory inspection he returns them to her with a polite bow.

From Literature

Being on my best behavior at all times was just one of the problems with being the commander’s kid, and today of all days I did not want to play the polite and well-behaved daughter.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023