polite

/pəˈlaɪt/

/pəˈlaɪt/

Other forms: politest; politer

Polite means showing regards for others in manners, speech, and behavior. Since you are a polite dinner guest, you thank the host for inviting you and, even though you think the chicken is not cooked to perfection, you tell her you are enjoying the meal.

The adjective polite comes from the mid-13th century Latin politus, which means "refined" or "elegant." Showing consideration for others, using tact, and observing social norms are the qualities of being polite. The opposite of polite is rude. Because the poet E.E. Cummings thought imagination is most important, he wrote, “Knowledge is a polite word for dead but not buried imagination.”

Definitions of polite

1. adjective

   showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
   synonyms:

   mannerly, well-mannered

   socially correct in behavior

   courteous, gracious, nice

   exhibiting courtesy and politeness

   antonyms:

   impolite

   not polite

   brattish, bratty

   (used of an ill-mannered child) impolitely unruly

   bad-mannered, ill-mannered, rude, unmannered, unmannerly

   socially incorrect in behavior

   discourteous, ungracious

   lacking social graces

   unparliamentary

   so rude and abusive as to be unsuitable for parliament
2. adjective

   not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others
   synonyms: civil
3. adjective

   marked by refinement in taste and manners
   “polite society”

   synonyms: civilised, civilized, cultivated, cultured, genteel

   refined

   (used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel