Word
politeness
Phoneticspo·lite·ness, stress on the second syllable
US/pəˈɫaɪtnəs/
UK/pəlˈaɪtnəs/
Definition
n. the quality of being kind and respectful to other people. It is about using good manners and showing you care about how others feel.
n. the quality of being courteous, respectful, and considerate of others. Often involves adherence to social conventions or formal etiquette.
Examples
“It is important to show politeness when you meet new people.”
“The hotel staff showed great politeness by offering to carry the heavy bags to the room.”
“While some argue that strict politeness is a relic of the past, others maintain that it remains essential for maintaining professional relationships and social harmony.”
Examples
simple
“It is important to show politeness when you meet new people.”
contextual
“The hotel staff showed great politeness by offering to carry the heavy bags to the room.”
complex
“While some argue that strict politeness is a relic of the past, others maintain that it remains essential for maintaining professional relationships and social harmony.”
Etymology
From polite + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/politeness