polite
puh-LYT
Polite (adj) means showing good manners and consideration for others. Example: “The shop assistant stayed polite even when the customer raised his voice.”
adj
1
Showing good manners and consideration for others.
"The shop assistant stayed polite even when the customer raised his voice."
"It's polite to say thank you when someone holds the door."
"He gave a polite nod and continued on his way."
How to use polite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWell-mannered and considerate in speech or behaviour.
Common pairings
polite society
polite request
stay polite
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- polites
- Past tense
- polited
- Comparative
- politer, more polite
- Superlative
- politest, most polite
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The shop assistant stayed _____ even when the customer raised his voice.
Etymology
From Latin politus, "polished," the past participle of polire — the same root that gives us "polish." Politeness was once thought of as social "polish."
Synonyms
View more →
respectful
gracious
considerate
tactful
cordial
civil
civilized
complaisant
correct
courteous
cultivated
fair-mannered
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for polite
See all rhymes for polite →Frequently asked questions
What does “polite” mean?
The word “polite” means showing good manners and consideration for others. In plain terms, well-mannered and considerate in speech or behaviour.
How do you pronounce “polite”?
“Polite” is pronounced puh-LYT (/pəˈlaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “polite” in a sentence?
Here is “polite” used in a sentence: “It's polite to say thank you when someone holds the door.”
What is another word for “polite”?
Words with a similar meaning to “polite” include civil, civilized, complaisant, correct, courteous and cultivated.
What is the opposite of “polite”?
The opposite of “polite” — its antonyms — are impolite, rude, bad-mannered and ill-mannered.
What part of speech is “polite”?
“Polite” is an adjective.
Where does the word “polite” come from?
The word “polite” comes from Latin. From Latin politus, "polished," the past participle of polire — the same root that gives us "polish." Politeness was once thought of as social "polish.".
Is “polite” a common word?
“Polite” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between polite and kind?
Being polite means showing good manners and observing social courtesies, such as saying "please" and "thank you." Being kind involves genuine warmth and care for others, so a person can be polite in form without being truly kind, or kind without being formally polite.
What is the difference between polite and courteous?
Both describe good manners and consideration for others, and they overlap closely. Courteous often suggests a slightly more formal, gracious, or old-fashioned politeness, while polite is the everyday, general term.
What is the difference between being polite and being respectful?
Politeness is about good manners and social consideration in how you behave towards others. Respect goes deeper, showing that you genuinely value someone's feelings, rights, or status, though the two often go together.
Is polite always a compliment?
Usually yes, since polite describes good manners and consideration for others. However, in some contexts "polite" can imply mere surface courtesy, as in a "polite refusal," where the manners are correct but the warmth is limited.
