Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Marked by good manners and consideration for others: Refers to behavior, speech, or actions that show respect and are not rude.
   • Refined or cultured: Indicates a level of sophistication in taste, manners, or social conduct.

Usage

• The adjective "polite" describes a person's character, their specific actions, or the general tone of a situation. It is commonly used to describe socially acceptable and respectful behavior.
• It is often used in comparative ("more polite") and superlative ("most polite") forms.
• Common collocations include: polite society, polite conversation, polite request, polite smile.

Examples

• General Use:

  • She is always polite to her elders.
  • It is polite to say "please" and "thank you".
  • He made a polite inquiry about her health.

• Describing Society or Conduct:

  • They were raised in polite society.
  • The debate was surprisingly polite and respectful.

Advanced Usage

• "To be polite to a fault": To be so excessively polite that it may be seen as insincere or a weakness.

  • He is polite to a fault, never voicing his own opinion to avoid conflict.

• "Polite fiction": A social pretense that everyone accepts as true for the sake of good manners or to avoid embarrassment.

  • That he would one day repay the loan was a polite fiction everyone maintained.

Variants and Related Words

• Politely (adverb): In a polite manner.
  • She politely declined the invitation.
• Politeness (noun): The quality of being polite.
  • His politeness is appreciated by everyone.
• Impoliteness (noun): The quality of being rude.
• Over-polite (adjective): Excessively polite.

Synonyms

• Courteous: Polite, respectful, and considerate.
• Civil: Formally polite, often in a minimal or necessary way to avoid rudeness.
• Well-mannered: Having or showing good manners.
• Respectful: Showing deference and esteem.

Antonyms

• Rude: Offensively impolite or ill-mannered.
• Discourteous: Showing rudeness and a lack of consideration for others.
• Impolite: Not polite.

Related Phrases

• Polite applause: Applause that is given out of duty or courtesy rather than genuine enthusiasm.
  • The speaker received only polite applause from the small audience.
• Polite notice: A formal or courteous warning or announcement.
  • A polite notice was posted asking guests not to smoke.

Adjective

1. not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others
   • even if he didn't like them he should have been civil- W.S. Maugham
2. marked by refinement in taste and manners
   • cultivated speech
   • cultured Bostonians
   • cultured tastes
   • a genteel old lady
   • polite society
3. showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.