po·lite
(pə-līt′)adj. po·lit·er, po·lit·est
1. Marked by or showing consideration for others and observance of accepted social usage.
2. Refined; elegant: polite society.
[Middle English polit, polished, from Latin polītus, past participle of polīre, to polish; see polish.]
po·lite′ly adv.
po·lite′ness n.
Synonyms: polite, mannerly, civil, courteous, genteel
These adjectives mean mindful of, conforming to, or marked by good manners. Polite and mannerly imply consideration for others and the adherence to conventional social standards of good behavior: "She was so polite and unwilling to offend that she wouldn't always make her feelings and intentions clear" (Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson)."Just the one young man came out, very mannerly, and helped first her then me down from the car" (Alice Munro).
Civil often suggests the barest observance of accepted social usages, as in the avoidance of rudeness: "Mr. Bingley was unaffectedly civil in his answer, and forced his younger sister to be civil also, and say what the occasion required" (Jane Austen).
Courteous implies courtliness and dignity: "Even around his parents ... he's unfailingly courteous and even-tempered, letting slide their mild attempts to run his life" (Paul Solotaroff).
Genteel, which originally meant well-bred, now usually suggests excessive and affected refinement associated with the upper classes: "In a world without credit bureaus, background checks, or official identification, properly genteel attire, speech, and behavior determined where a person could go, whom he could see, and how he was judged in every area" (Jeffrey L. Pasley).
These adjectives mean mindful of, conforming to, or marked by good manners. Polite and mannerly imply consideration for others and the adherence to conventional social standards of good behavior: "She was so polite and unwilling to offend that she wouldn't always make her feelings and intentions clear" (Jane Mayer and Jill Abramson)."Just the one young man came out, very mannerly, and helped first her then me down from the car" (Alice Munro).
Civil often suggests the barest observance of accepted social usages, as in the avoidance of rudeness: "Mr. Bingley was unaffectedly civil in his answer, and forced his younger sister to be civil also, and say what the occasion required" (Jane Austen).
Courteous implies courtliness and dignity: "Even around his parents ... he's unfailingly courteous and even-tempered, letting slide their mild attempts to run his life" (Paul Solotaroff).
Genteel, which originally meant well-bred, now usually suggests excessive and affected refinement associated with the upper classes: "In a world without credit bureaus, background checks, or official identification, properly genteel attire, speech, and behavior determined where a person could go, whom he could see, and how he was judged in every area" (Jeffrey L. Pasley).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. |  politeness - a courteous manner that respects accepted social usagegood manners, courtesy - a courteous manner impoliteness - a discourteous manner that ignores accepted social usage |
| 2. | politeness - the act of showing regard for others action - something done (usually as opposed to something said); "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions" courtesy - a courteous or respectful or considerate act deference, respect - a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard; "his deference to her wishes was very flattering"; "be sure to give my respects to the dean" devoir - formal expression of respect |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
politeness
noun courtesy, decency, correctness, etiquette, deference, grace, civility, graciousness, common courtesy, complaisance, courteousness, respectfulness, mannerliness, obligingness She listened to him, but only out of politeness.
Quotations
"Politeness is organized indifference" [Paul Valéry Tel Quel]
"Politeness is organized indifference" [Paul Valéry Tel Quel]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
politeness
noun1. Well-mannered behavior toward others:
2. A courteous act or courteous acts that contribute to smoothness and ease in dealings and social relationships
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
أدَب، تَهْذيبكِيَاسَة
zdvořilost
høflighedvelopdragenhed
kohteliaisuus
pristojnost
kurteisi
丁寧
정중함
vljudnost
artighet
ความสุภาพอ่อนโยน
vẻ lịch sự
politeness
[pəˈlaɪtnɪs] N → cortesía f, educación fto do sth out of politeness → hacer algo por cortesía
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
politeness
n → Höflichkeit f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
polite
(pəˈlait) adjective having or showing good manners; courteous. a polite child; a polite apology.
poˈlitely adverbpoˈliteness noun
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
politeness
→ كِيَاسَة zdvořilost høflighed Höflichkeit ευγένεια cortesía kohteliaisuus politesse pristojnost cortesia 丁寧 정중함 beleefdheid høflighet grzeczność gentileza вежливость artighet ความสุภาพอ่อนโยน kibarlık vẻ lịch sự 有礼Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009