po ‧ lite S3 /pəˈlaɪt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ politeness ≠ IMPOLITENESS ; adverb : ↑ politely ≠ ↑ impolitely ; adjective : ↑ polite ≠ ↑ impolite ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of polire ; ⇨ ↑ polish 1 ]
1 . behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in, and showing that you are careful to consider other people’s needs and feelings OPP rude , impolite :
She’s always very polite.
polite, well-behaved children
a clear but polite request
it is polite (of somebody) to do something
We left the party as soon as it was polite to do so.
It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full.
2 . you make polite conversation, remarks etc because it is considered socially correct to do this, but not necessarily because you believe what you are saying
polite remarks/conversation/interest etc
While they ate, they made polite conversation about the weather.
Jan expressed polite interest in Edward’s stamp collection.
I know Ian said he liked her singing, but he was only being polite.
3 . in polite society/circles/company among people who are considered to have a good education and correct social behaviour – often used humorously:
You can’t use words like that in polite company.
—politely adverb :
‘Can I help you?’ she asked politely.
—politeness noun [uncountable]
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THESAURUS
▪ polite behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in, and showing that you are careful to consider other people’s needs and feelings:
He was too polite to ask how old she was.
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‘Excuse me, sir,’ she said in a polite voice.
▪ well-mannered having good manners and knowing the correct way to behave in social situations:
She was beautifully dressed and very well-mannered.
▪ well-behaved polite and not causing any trouble – used about children or animals:
The children were very well-behaved.
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Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the hotel.
▪ courteous /ˈkɜːtiəs $ ˈkɜːr-/ polite and respectful, and behaving rather formally:
The hotel staff were very courteous and helpful.
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a courteous reply
▪ respectful polite and treating someone with respect:
He was very respectful towards all my relatives.
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‘Thank you,’ he said with a respectful bow.
▪ civil polite in a formal way, especially when you do not feel very friendly towards someone:
She’d never liked her father-in-law, but she forced herself to be civil to him.
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When you’ve stopped arguing, you might be able to have a civil conversation.
▪ deferential formal polite towards someone, especially because they are in a more important social position:
In those days women were expected to be deferential to men.