polite
/pəˈlaɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /pəˈlaɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /pə-ˈlīt/ (ame, mw)
polite — adjective
- politepositive
- more politecomparative
- most politesuperlative
1. using good manners and trying not to upset or embarrass other people.
using good manners and trying not to upset or embarrass other people.
Nina was polite to the waiter, even after the wrong order arrived.
be polite to + person
A polite email thanked every volunteer after the school market.
polite + communication noun
Please be polite when you ask the driver to stop here.
Even tired customers stayed polite during the long line at the checkout.
Mason gave a polite answer after his aunt repeated the question.
- courteous
more formal; common in service or official situations
- respectful
focuses more on showing regard, especially to authority or older people
- well-mannered
describes a person's general upbringing and habits
- considerate
goes further by suggesting active thought about other people's comfort
文法句型
be polite to + person
a polite question/request/answer
be polite when + clause
用法筆記
Often followed by 'to' when you name the person receiving the behaviour: be polite to a teacher, neighbour, or customer. Distinguish from sense 2, which can describe correct but distant behaviour with little real warmth.
常見錯誤
2. acting properly and speaking pleasantly, but without real warmth or friendship.
acting properly and speaking pleasantly, but without real warmth or friendship.
Lena's polite smile ended the talk, but she did not invite us in.
polite smile with social distance
The clerk gave a polite reply and turned to the next customer.
polite reply without continued interest
At dinner, Uncle Ray stayed polite, though the room felt cold.
The reporters' polite questions sounded careful, not like real interest.
We exchanged polite words at the station, then walked away.
- civil
correct and controlled, often when people are not close
- formal
focuses on stiffness or distance more than manners
- correct
stresses following social rules
- diplomatic
suggests careful wording to avoid conflict
文法句型
a polite smile/reply/refusal
stay polite
polite but + adjective
用法筆記
Often used with nouns like 'smile', 'interest', 'conversation', and 'refusal'. Distinguish from sense 1: here the speaker may sound correct on the surface, but the behaviour can feel distant or merely formal.
常見錯誤
3. used for upper social circles that see themselves as refined, proper, and above
used for upper social circles that see themselves as refined, proper, and above ordinary people.
The scandal shocked polite society across London that summer.
fixed phrase: polite society
In polite company, Grandpa never mentioned money or politics.
fixed phrase: polite company
The actress quickly became known in polite society after the wedding.
Writers mocked polite society for its strict rules and secrets.
- high-society
closer to modern everyday wording for fashionable upper-class circles
- upper-class
broader; refers to social rank, not specifically manners or social circles
- elite
can refer to powerful or successful groups, not only social class
文法句型
polite society
polite company
in polite society
用法筆記
Mostly found in fixed expressions such as 'polite society' and 'polite company'. It refers to an upper-class social world with ideas about proper behaviour, not simply to any group of well-mannered people.