DictionaryAI

polite

puh-LYT/pəˈlaɪt/

Verbpolites, politing, polited

3 meanings of polite

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Acting in a kind and respectful way toward other people.

    Like holding the door open for the person walking behind you.

    She was very polite to the new student on his first day.

    Always be polite when you ask a stranger for directions.

    Similarcourteous, civil, respectful, well-mannered, gracious

    Oppositerude, impolite, discourteous, disrespectful

    Note
  2. 2
    adjectiveobsolete
    Smooth and shiny, like a surface that has been rubbed clean.
    Note
  3. 3
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To make something smooth, clean, or more refined.

    Like sanding a rough plank until it feels smooth under your hand.

    The tutor hoped to polite the rough manners of his young pupils.

    those exercises plied, which polite men's spirits
    1691, John Ray, The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation.Here, polite means to polish or refine, making people more cultured.
    Note

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Origin

From Latin politus, meaning "polished." It comes from the verb polio, "I polish or smooth."