polite

adjective po·lite \ pə-ˈlīt \

Definition of polite

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

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politely

adverb

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politeness

noun

See polite defined for English-language learners

See polite defined for kids

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

Like its polite, though chronically reserved staff, the Inn at the Biltmore Estate is above all a formal affair.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "The Inn on Biltmore Estate," 20 Oct. 2017
And polite society is expressing a certain amount of skepticism.

— laurie penny, Time, "‘Me Too’ Just Gave Society a Conscience," 18 Oct. 2017
In today’s polarized America, some subjects are best forgotten in polite company to avoid a heated argument.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Trump, gun control, religion, DACA — for this seniors' discussion group, nothing's off limits," 16 Sep. 2017
Finally, he was taken to a hospital, where a doctor, Frederick Treves, cared for him and introduced him to polite society.

— Philly.com, "Bernard Pomerance | Noted playwright, 76," 3 Sep. 2017
But the wait staff was professional and polite, including an engaging host who stopped by every table to chat.

— suzanne loudermilk, baltimoresun.com, "Supano's may be one of Baltimore's best-kept secrets," 31 Aug. 2017
Japan has been a polite but pointed critic of Brexit, going further than other countries in laying out its demands and expectations for its future trading relationship with Britain.

— The Economist, "As missiles fly, Britain offers Japan whisky and Aston Martins," 30 Aug. 2017
As our peers at the Hive noted last week, the venue’s abandonment by polite society since the events in Charlottesville has signaled a larger falling out between the administration and social elites on almost every front.

— hilary weaver, Vanities, "Yet Another Charity Pulls an Event Out of Mar-a-Lago," 21 Aug. 2017
But the man who created the petition isn't for the change because Canada started from the bottom but now is here (being very polite), but wants it because Drake basically saved Canada or something.

— mark shrayber, Cosmopolitan, "Should Canada Change Their National Anthem to "Started From the Bottom?"," 14 June 2014

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1500

See Words from the same year

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.