polite

adjective

po·​lite pə-ˈlīt 

politer; politest

1

a

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture

b

: marked by refined cultural interests and pursuits especially in arts and belles lettres

2

a

: showing or characterized by correct social usage

b

: marked by an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, or courtesy

c

: marked by a lack of roughness or crudities

polite literature

politely adverb

politeness noun

Synonyms

• civil
• courteous
• genteel
• gracious
• mannerly
• well-bred

Choose the Right Synonym for polite

civil, polite, courteous, gallant, chivalrous mean observant of the forms required by good breeding.

civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women.

gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

Examples of polite in a Sentence

It was polite of him to hold the door for them.

Please be polite to the guests.

It isn't polite to interrupt people when they're talking.

She received some polite applause despite the mistakes in her performance.

Recent Examples on the Web

So Sawai has to reveal so much of what’s raging beneath that polite surface with her eyes, and with barely perceptible shifts in body language. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2024

There are large doses of figurative painting and (as customary these days) weaving and tapestry arranged in polite, symmetrical arrays. —Jason Farago, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Irving’s uncle, Ronald Fogle, described his nephew as goofy and playful, a youngster who was unfailingly polite to his elders but also as someone too often in trouble, living a precarious life. —Emily Davies, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Staff were incredibly friendly, polite, and gracious. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Pollini was polite, elegant, erudite, somewhat shy and very private. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

Women have been socialized to be polite, and to even ignore our own instincts to flee, in order to make a stranger comfortable. —Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 22 Mar. 2024

Those who made it to their seats or standing room areas in time for the openers’ dozen-song set – mostly pulled from Last Splash, which the band did a 30th-anniversary tour for last year – were polite and respectful, but hardly visceral or effusive in response. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024

The vibe enabling these reintegrations into polite company is less prosocial than indifferent. —Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English (Scots) polit, Latin politus, from past participle of polire

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing polite

• in polite company
• in polite society/company
• polite speech

Kids Definition

polite

adjective

po·​lite pə-ˈlīt 

politer; politest

1

: showing good taste or training : refined

polite society

polite forms of address

2

: showing consideration and courtesy : courteous

politely adverb

politeness noun