Thesaurus

polite

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of polite

1 showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners

it's only polite to hold the door for the person behind you

Synonyms of polite

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

Words Related to polite

attentive, careful, considerate, nice, solicitous, thoughtful

chivalrous, civilized, courtly, gallant, gentlemanlike, gentlemanly, ladylike

ceremonial, ceremonious, red-carpet

couth, formal, smooth, suave, unctuous, urbane

elegant, refined

deferential, dutiful, respectful, submissive, yielding

acceptable, appropriate, becoming, befitting, comme il faut, correct, decent, decorous, fit, fitting, good, meet, proper, respectable, right, seemly, suitable

affable, cordial, friendly, genial, hospitable, pleasant, sociable

felicitous, graceful

demure, humble, meek, modest, unassertive

Near Antonyms of polite

heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless

audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassy, disrespectful, impertinent, impudent, insolent, lippy, saucy, shameless

boorish, churlish, clodhopping, clownish, loutish, uncouth, vulgar

casual, informal, unceremonious

improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, uncalled-for, unrespectable, unseemly

arrogant, conceited, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious

Antonyms of polite

discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, inconsiderate, mannerless, rude, thoughtless, uncivil, ungenteel, ungracious, unmannered, unmannerly

2 following the established traditions of refined society and good taste

such matters are never mentioned in polite conversation

Synonyms of polite

befitting, correct, de rigueur, decent, decorous, genteel, nice, proper, respectable, seemly

Words Related to polite

acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable

dress, dressy, formal

dignified, elegant, gracious

priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy

apt, material, relevant

compatible, congenial, harmonious

allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted

Near Antonyms of polite

intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory

casual, grungy, informal

seedy, shabby, tacky

banned, barred, disallowed

forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed

awkward, gauche, ungraceful

Antonyms of polite

improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly

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

Learn More about polite

Dictionary: Definition of polite Spanish Central: Translation of polite Nglish: Translation of polite for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of polite for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up polite? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

cogent

appealing forcibly to the mind or reason