Word
polite
Phoneticspo·lite, stress on the second syllable
US/pəˈɫaɪt/
UK/pəlˈaɪt/
Definitions
01well-mannered
A2 · Elementary
adj. having good manners and showing respect for others.
adj. demonstrating good manners and social etiquette; showing regard for others through conventional social grace.
“The waiter was very polite even though the restaurant was extremely busy.”
“It is considered polite to send a handwritten thank-you note after staying at someone's home for the weekend.”
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'.
02refined or upper-class
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. relating to people who are well-educated and have high social standing.
adj. relating to or characteristic of refined, cultivated, or upper-class society.
“In polite society, it was once considered rude to talk about money.”
“The author offers a biting critique of the hypocrisies often found within the circles of polite society during the Victorian era.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“I always say please and thank you to my Alexa. Why is this? I am sure it doesn’t care. Is it worth being polite to artificial assistants?” “If in doubt, err towards the polite and formal.” Etymology
From Latin polītus (“polished”), past participle of poliō (“to polish, smooth”); see polish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
01. polite fiction
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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