polite

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Behaving in a respectful, well-mannered way and showing that you care about other people's feelings.

   Grammar: Often followed by to: be polite to your teacher.

   Patterns

   • polite to someone
   • polite about something
   • it's polite to do something

   The children were polite to every guest.

   It is polite to say thank you.

   He gave a polite reply, even though he was angry.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounformal

   Used of social settings or conversation, careful, formal, and avoiding anything awkward or rude.

   Grammar: Often appears in phrases: polite society, polite conversation.

   Patterns

   • polite society
   • polite conversation

   Politics is not a topic for polite conversation at that dinner.

   In polite society, such language was unacceptable.

   They exchanged polite smiles but said little.

Word forms

Common combinations

perfectly polite

He was perfectly polite but clearly bored.

polite request

She made a polite request for quiet.

polite refusal

I sent a polite refusal to the invitation.

polite society

Such stories are not told in polite society.

polite manner

The waiter spoke in a polite manner.

be polite to

Be polite to the neighbors.

Synonyms and how they differ

courteous

Courteous is more formal and suggests considerate behavior, especially toward strangers.

civil

Civil means just polite enough, without warmth, so it is weaker than polite.

well-mannered

Well-mannered describes a person's general habits, while polite can describe a single action.

respectful

Respectful stresses showing regard for someone, while polite is about outward manners.

Opposites

Word family

politely adverb

in a well-mannered way

politeness noun

good manners and respect

impolite adjective

not showing good manners

impolitely adverb

in a rude way

Commonly confused: polite or kind?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “polite”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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