politesse
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌpɒlɪˈtɛs/
- Formal
:
cortesía
- She greeted her guests with the utmost politesse, making each person feel valued and welcome.
Examples
-
There was no greater compliment in turn-of-the-century British (male) politesse.
Academic text (1991) -
That's a bit of politesse that boggles the brain.
-
My only defense is that when one "calls it as one sees it," politesse may need to take a back seat.
Blog text (30) -
Skyler: You may take me seriously or not, although I do appreciate the politesse.
Blog text (28) -
No, he was not the kind of man who wasted his time in gestures of meaningless politesse.
Fiction book (1990) -
If Obama thinks that any amount of politesse will win over the 27 percent, then he is delusional and should not be running for office at all.
Blog text (30) -
Hostile? i.e., street-smart, populist, hip, against Connecticut prep-school politesse?
Fiction book (1995) -
The directors also rightfully enjoy little lapses into vulgarity in Steidl's workaday politesse.
Blog text (27) -
Though this cable is framed in typically diplomatic politesse, the underlying message seems clear: it was a demand that Chancellor Merkel's government intervene to block the criminal investigation, coupled with a threat of negative consequences if it failed to do so.
Blog text (10) -
His pipe, his tweed jacket, his sardonic politesse, the use of the royal we, the cool game-playing with reputation—he was like a man masquerading as what he was.
Fiction book (1997)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Polite actions or words that show you value someone
296
1.9
Polite actions or words that show respect for other people
248
1.0
Polite ways of behaving toward other people, like saying please and thank you
71
4.2
Polite and respectful words and actions toward other people
69
5.5
Rules for polite behavior in social or work situations
30
7.3
Polite and proper behavior in formal situations
26
1.3
Showing good manners and respect to other people
23
1.0
Polite and respectful actions toward other people
6
4.1
Being kind, polite, and generous to other people
4
7.9
Polite and elegant behavior that shows high social standing
1
8.1
Polite and elegant behavior like people at a royal court
1
8.4
A polite way of behaving that follows social rules
1
3.9
Polite and kind behavior toward other people's feelings and wishes
A way of acting that is very formal and polite, often during ceremonies
A polite way of behaving that shows respect for other people
Antonyms
How Polite
- Formal
- Literature
1
8.1
- Formal
1
9.9
26
1.3
71
4.2
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word politesse comes from French and the Latin root politus meaning 'polished', and it is like the English word polish — imagine manners that are smooth and well polished. So politesse means a refined, careful kind of politeness in how you speak and behave.