politer; politest
1
a
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture
b
: marked by refined cultural interests and pursuits especially in arts and belles lettres
2
a
: showing or characterized by correct social usage
b
: marked by an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, or courtesy
c
: marked by a lack of roughness or crudities
polite literature
politely
adverb
politeness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of polite in a Sentence
It was polite of him to hold the door for them.
Please be polite to the guests.
It isn't polite to interrupt people when they're talking.
She received some polite applause despite the mistakes in her performance.
Recent Examples on the Web
If Trump lost McConnell on Hegseth, there is reason to think other Republican lawmakers might now look around and find good—and shrewd—company in the polite opposition.
—
Philip Elliott, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Upon arrival in Key West, the group exchanges polite greetings, but the underlying tension is palpable.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
Think bold reds, glints of gold, and just the right amount of flair to take you from polite family dinners to full-on bar crawls.
—Crystal Chen, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
Mitte has been with his girlfriend Kennedy Blaire since 2022.
10 of 12
Jesse Plemons (Todd Alquist)
Jesse Plemons played the polite, respectful, child-killing Todd.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for polite 
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Philip Elliott, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Upon arrival in Key West, the group exchanges polite greetings, but the underlying tension is palpable.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
Think bold reds, glints of gold, and just the right amount of flair to take you from polite family dinners to full-on bar crawls.
—Crystal Chen, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2025
Mitte has been with his girlfriend Kennedy Blaire since 2022.
10 of 12
Jesse Plemons (Todd Alquist)
Jesse Plemons played the polite, respectful, child-killing Todd.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for polite
Articles Related to polite
Dictionary Entries Near polite
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polite. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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