polite

Examples

• All

• Candyman had been sent to all the best schools, and had grown up in polite society.

  Candyman (1992)

• Michel becomes impatient with the restraints of French polite society and longs again for the desert.

  Academic text (1990)

• The kind woman carried on a polite conversation with her visitors.

  Fiction book (1998)

• And that made him feel more at home than all this polite talk.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Now, now, now, now, Mr Bond, you must learn to be absolutely calm before we can accept you back into polite society.

  On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

• Walter, in polite society, the word is "appointment."

  Big Eyes (2014)

• It's taken for granted, sometimes mocked, and often shunned in polite conversation.

  Academic text (2004)

• The formality of the polite exchange couldn't mask its quiet intensity.

  Fiction book (1999)

• They all must be shunned, excommunicated from polite society.

• He was always polite to his guests, making sure they felt comfortable and welcome.

Synonyms

C

civil

vspolite

585 3.9

Polite but not friendly or warm

expresses richer cultured refinement and tasteful manners rather than minimal courtesy

R

respectful

vspolite

150 1.1

Being polite and showing admiration for someone

focuses more on refined manners and social taste rather than deference

C

civilized

vspolite

80 4.4

Polite with good manners and refined taste

emphasizes individual refinement of taste and manners rather than social progress

C

courteous

vspolite

43 3.7

Polite and respectful when you speak or behave

places more emphasis on refined taste and cultured manners than on respect

W

well-behaved

vspolite

25 2.8

Polite and calm around other people

focuses on refined taste and manners rather than obedient acceptable behaviour

G

gentlemanly

vspolite

17 4.4

Polite and considerate in a calm, respectful way

is general cultured manners and taste rather than specific gendered conduct

G

genteel

vspolite

14 7.7

Polite and elegant in a way that tries to impress others

is more neutral refinement and taste without the implied affectation

W

well-mannered

vspolite

10 2.9

Polite and respectful to other people

highlights cultured refinement and taste rather than taught social rules

C

cultured

vspolite

5 5.1

A person who likes and understands art, music, and books

is a more general word for good manners and social refinement

R

refined

vspolite

• Formal

4 4.1

Showing elegant, polite manners and good taste

focuses on general social manners rather than very elegant style

D

decorous

vspolite

• Formal

3 7.9

Polite and showing good manners in formal situations

is more about general refinement and cultured manners than strict propriety

M

mannerly

vspolite

1 4.1

Polite and behaving well around other people

emphasizes elegant refinement and taste more than obedient social correctness

W

well behaved

vspolite

1 1.2

A child or pet that acts politely and calmly

emphasizes cultured refinement and social taste rather than mere obedience

M

mannerable

vspolite

• Archaic

1 7.3

Being polite and treating people with respect

stresses cultured refinement and taste rather than simple everyday courtesy

C

cultivated

vspolite

• Formal

5.4

Having good education, polite manners, and good taste

lays stress on manners and taste generally rather than learned education

G

gentlemanlike

vspolite

7.9

Showing polite and respectful manners and appearance

focuses on refinement in manners broadly, not only old fashioned behaviour

Antonyms

V

vulgar

52 6.1

Showing little good taste or refinement in style

U

uncultured

• Offensive

3 5.6

Showing little interest in art or books and having bad manners

Compounds

F

freezingly polite

8.7

Very formal and cold in a way that makes people feel unwelcome

How Refined

sophisticated

86 6.7

cultured

5 5.1

genteel

14 7.7

polite

18 1.0

uncultured

• Offensive

3 5.6

Surface Forms

Etymology