polite
adjective
po·lite pə-ˈlīt 
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
politely adverb
politeness noun
Synonyms
- civil
- courteous
- genteel
- gracious
- mannerly
- well-bred
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 on the Web As for how the members of the posh set feel about rubbing elbows with non-aristocrats, Meier said that most people won't mind, provided everyone is polite and well-mannered. 
Maria Mercedes Lara, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 Bayou, polite and diffident, is a well of disappointment for his father, Buster (E. Roger Mitchell). Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 Okay, that can't be fun to hear — but at least Tyler was polite about it and delicate with Gabby's feelings. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 26 July 2022 If being polite and refraining from littering, carving initials on trees and defacing Native American petroglyphs seems like a no–brainer, think again. Mark Eddington, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 July 2022 The main text of the guide ends with an extended plea for servicemen to be polite and open-minded towards Alaskans, especially Alaska Natives. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 26 June 2022 The witnesses selected to appear live are polite and noncontentious. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 23 June 2022 It’s succinct, polite and conveys your feelings accurately. Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 20 June 2022 Tuesday’s primary left the outcome of two Los Angeles school board races in doubt, setting the stage for a general election campaign that could prove less polite and more expensive. Howard Blumestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2022 See More
Maria Mercedes Lara, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022 Bayou, polite and diffident, is a well of disappointment for his father, Buster (E. Roger Mitchell). Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2022 Okay, that can't be fun to hear — but at least Tyler was polite about it and delicate with Gabby's feelings. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 26 July 2022 If being polite and refraining from littering, carving initials on trees and defacing Native American petroglyphs seems like a no–brainer, think again. Mark Eddington, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 July 2022 The main text of the guide ends with an extended plea for servicemen to be polite and open-minded towards Alaskans, especially Alaska Natives. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 26 June 2022 The witnesses selected to appear live are polite and noncontentious. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 23 June 2022 It’s succinct, polite and conveys your feelings accurately. Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 20 June 2022 Tuesday’s primary left the outcome of two Los Angeles school board races in doubt, setting the stage for a general election campaign that could prove less polite and more expensive. Howard Blumestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English (Scots) polit, Latin politus, from past participle of polire
First Known Use
circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing polite
Kids Definition
polite
adjective
po·lite pə-ˈlīt
politer; politest
: showing courtesy or good manners
polite
adjective
1
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners it's only polite to hold the door for the person behind you Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- gracious
- courteous
- civil
- respectful
- thoughtful
- nice
- careful
- mannerly
- friendly
- pleasant
- genteel
- civilized
- respectable
- graceful
- gallant
- considerate
- elegant
- attentive
- well-bred
- gentlemanly
- humble
- solicitous
- good
- appropriate
- ceremonious
- chivalrous
- acceptable
- hospitable
- meek
- deferential
- ceremonial
- ladylike
- smooth
- courtly
- decorous
- cordial
- formal
- suave
- decent
- gentlemanlike
- urbane
- correct
- dutiful
- suitable
- affable
- proper
- sociable
- unctuous
- genial
- submissive
- fitting
- couth
- meet
- refined
- modest
- right
- befitting
- seemly
- demure
- yielding
- unassertive
- becoming
- fit
- felicitous
- red-carpet
- comme il faut
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impolite
- rude
- discourteous
- thoughtless
- uncivil
- ungracious
- unmannerly
- inconsiderate
- unmannered
- thoughtless
- insolent
- disrespectful
- inconsiderate
- impudent
- heedless
- impertinent
- informal
- brash
- uncouth
- bold
- vulgar
- mannerless
- boorish
- ungenteel
- saucy
- casual
- brassy
- audacious
- shameless
- churlish
- ill-mannered
- loutish
- clownish
- inappropriate
- ill-bred
- improper
- arrogant
- indecorous
- indecent
- incorrect
- unseemly
- unceremonious
- pretentious
- lippy
- presumptuous
- conceited
- unrespectable
- clodhopping
- bold-faced
- presuming
- uncalled-for
2
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste such matters are never mentioned in polite conversation Synonyms & Similar Words
- proper
- respectable
- satisfactory
- acceptable
- nice
- decorous
- correct
- formal
- decent
- elegant
- dress
- genteel
- adequate
- gracious
- befitting
- seemly
- dignified
- tolerable
- relevant
- congenial
- de rigueur
- apt
- prim
- allowed
- permitted
- authorized
- dressy
- harmonious
- priggish
- kosher
- material
- stuffy
- compatible
- stiff
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inappropriate
- informal
- improper
- indelicate
- unbecoming
- casual
- unsatisfactory
- indecent
- unacceptable
- unseemly
- incorrect
- intolerable
- indecorous
- shabby
- tacky
- seedy
- forbidden
- barred
- ungenteel
- prohibited
- awkward
- grungy
- disallowed
- gauche
- proscribed
- ungraceful
- banned
- outlawed
- interdicted
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of polite are chivalrous, civil, courteous, and gallant. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," 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
The synonyms chivalrous and polite are sometimes interchangeable, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.
a chivalrous display of duty
Although the words civil and polite have much in common, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.
owed the questioner a civil reply
The meanings of courteous and polite largely overlap; however, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.
clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers
Both 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