Definition of POLITE

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 of polite from the Web

Both men have previously refused more polite requests.

— dan sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Let the budget machinations begin", 1 June 2017
At first, Campisi writes with the voice of a Noo Yawker trying to be polite to visitors from another planet.

— marilyn stasio, New York Times, "Paris Poisoners and a Pioneering Female Detective: Your True Crime Books for the Beach", 1 June 2017
Washington (CNN)The Senate, generally speaking, is one of the most polite places on Earth.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Why does Al Franken hate Ted Cruz so much?", 31 May 2017
That only gives you the option to, in essence, take to the streets, which does put you against your neighbor in a confrontational manner because there is no more polite way to do it.

— valerie strauss, Washington Post, "Why the only charter school in Princeton, N.J., is now a flash point", 30 May 2017
In terms of local drivers’ tendencies, a few respondents complained about people being overly polite behind the wheel, specifically at four-way stops.

— jessica lee, The Seattle Times, "Too timid? Extra safe? Readers describe Seattle’s driving culture in not-so-glowing terms", 29 May 2017
Two weeks later, just before the council vote, Petrovich switched his tone, sending a formal and polite letter to Schenirer, cc’d to the rest of the council, requesting a last-minute meeting.

— tony bizjak, sacbee, "City manager called developer ‘mentally ill’ before council rejected his gas station", 28 May 2017
Chicago is one of the finest restaurant cities on the planet, a city of fantastic neighborhoods and great people and a vibrant cultural and sporting life, including polite wagers on federal indictments.

— john kass, chicagotribune.com, "Shrinking Chicago has always been told: Shut up and take it", 25 May 2017
A car dealership’s too-good-to-be-true offer has turned into a hard lesson on the merits of fair advertising, not to mention just being polite.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Free Ride", 18 Feb. 2000

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polite'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of polite

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

First Known Use: circa 1500

polite Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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