# impolite

/ˌɪmpəˈɫaɪt/ (US) · /ɪmpəlˈaɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/impolite
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

not showing good manners toward other people. You use it when someone speaks or acts in a rude way.

For teachers: showing a lack of courtesy or respect for accepted social behaviour. Often modified by degree words such as 'very' or 'slightly'.

## Examples

- It is impolite to talk with your mouth full.
- The teacher says it is impolite to interrupt classmates while they are speaking.
- Though his blunt questions sounded impolite to some guests, his friends knew he meant no disrespect.

## Pitfalls

- Not "unpolite" but "impolite" — The negative of 'polite' uses 'im-', not 'un-'.

## Usage notes

- The adjective is gradable and typically appears before a noun or after linking verbs such as 'be' or 'seem'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.