polite

adjective

po·​lite pə-ˈlīt How to pronounce polite (audio)
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
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 The rest of the statement read like a slightly strained note from a scrupulously polite headmistress. Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024 Two polite men spoke to my mom about her immigration status. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 This phrase works in many situations. – Terry Dear Terry: That phrase seems both opaque and polite. Amy Dickinson, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 This phrase works in many situations. — Terry Terry: That phrase seems both opaque and polite. © 2024 by Amy Dickinson. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 There is zero choice involved, and pleas for changes are met with a broad smile and a polite shake of the head. Jane Alexander, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Feb. 2024 But Yeung has a lot of other social statements to broach in his careful, polite way, and so, soon after, Angie is fussing in the kitchen and calls out a question to Pat, who doesn’t answer. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 25 Feb. 2024 One notable element is that the AI was relatively polite and civil when making the interjections. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 This will bring the polite impatience of the group to bear on the speaker, as well as providing opportunities to start a side conversation or slip away. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of polite was circa 1500

Dictionary Entries Near polite

Cite this Entry

“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

polite

adjective
po·​lite pə-ˈlīt How to pronounce polite (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on polite

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