polite

UK: /pəˈlaɪt/ US: /pəˈlaɪt/ ,(pə līt′)

Inflections of 'polite' (adj):

politer

adj comparative

politest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

po•lite /pəˈlaɪt/   adj., -lit•er, -lit•est. 

1. showing good manners;
   courteous:
   a polite reply.
2. refined or cultured:
   polite society.

po•lite•ly, adv.: 

"I'd be honored to come,'' he answered politely.

po•lite•ness, n. [uncountable] See -poli-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

po•lite  (pə līt′), adj., -lit•er, -lit•est. 

1. showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.;
   courteous;
   civil:
   a polite reply.
2. refined or cultured:
   polite society.
3. of a refined or elegant kind:
   polite learning.

• Latin polītus, past participle of polīre to polish
• late Middle English 1400–50

po•lite′ly, adv. 
po•lite′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. well-bred, gracious. See civil. 
• 2. urbane, polished, poised, courtly, cultivated.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. rude.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

polite / pəˈlaɪt/ adjective

1. showing regard for others, in manners, speech, behaviour, etc; courteous
2. cultivated or refined: polite society
3. elegant or polished: polite letters

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin polītus polished; see polish

poˈlitely adverb

poˈliteness noun