What does "polite" mean?

1. (well-mannered) having good manners and showing respect for others. 2. (refined or upper-class) relating to people who are well-educated and have high social standing.

Is it correct to say "He was very polite with me."?

No — say "He was very polite to me.". When describing who someone is being polite toward, use the preposition 'to'.

polite

adj.

US //pəˈɫaɪt// UK //pəlˈaɪt// po·lite

1 well-mannered (adj.)
A2 Elementary

having good manners and showing respect for others.

demonstrating good manners and social etiquette; showing regard for others through conventional social grace.

Example

The waiter was very polite even though the restaurant was extremely busy.

Example

It is considered polite to send a handwritten thank-you note after staying at someone's home for the weekend.
- courteous
- civil
- mannerly
- rude
- impolite
- discourteous
Pitfall

He was very polite with me.

He was very polite to me.

When describing who someone is being polite toward, use the preposition 'to'.
2 refined or upper-class (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

relating to people who are well-educated and have high social standing.

relating to or characteristic of refined, cultivated, or upper-class society.

Example

In polite society, it was once considered rude to talk about money.

Example

The author offers a biting critique of the hypocrisies often found within the circles of polite society during the Victorian era.
- refined
- cultivated
- genteel
- uncouth
- vulgar

Origin

From Latin polītus (“polished”), past participle of poliō (“to polish, smooth”); see polish.

Word family

Nounpoliteness
Adjectivepolite
Adverbpolitely

Idioms1 entry

01
polite fiction
A social scenario in which all participants are aware of a truth, but pretend to believe in some alternative version of events to avoid conflict or embarrassment.