Impolite
adjective
Not having or showing good manners or respect for other people.
It is impolite to interrupt when someone is speaking.
Often appears as...
- impolite behavior
- impolite interruption
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Not having or showing good manners or respect for other people.
It is impolite to interrupt when someone is speaking.
Often appears as...
- impolite behavior
- impolite interruption
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
What's impolite can differ across cultures; some gestures or phrases may be offensive in one place but not another.
Not making eye contact is impolite in some cultures but a sign of respect in others.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Signals
Sometimes a tone of voice or facial expression can make a phrase impolite, even if the words are not rude by themselves.
Saying 'thank you' in a sarcastic tone can be impolite.
Pro Tip 3/3Accidental Rudeness
You can appear impolite without intending to, such as when speaking a new language and misusing phrases or expressions.
Using informal language in a formal setting may seem impolite.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
What's impolite can differ across cultures; some gestures or phrases may be offensive in one place but not another.
Not making eye contact is impolite in some cultures but a sign of respect in others.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Signals
Sometimes a tone of voice or facial expression can make a phrase impolite, even if the words are not rude by themselves.
Saying 'thank you' in a sarcastic tone can be impolite.
Pro Tip 3/3Accidental Rudeness
You can appear impolite without intending to, such as when speaking a new language and misusing phrases or expressions.
Using informal language in a formal setting may seem impolite.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
What's impolite can differ across cultures; some gestures or phrases may be offensive in one place but not another.
Not making eye contact is impolite in some cultures but a sign of respect in others.
Pro Tip 2/3Subtle Signals
Sometimes a tone of voice or facial expression can make a phrase impolite, even if the words are not rude by themselves.
Saying 'thank you' in a sarcastic tone can be impolite.
Pro Tip 3/3Accidental Rudeness
You can appear impolite without intending to, such as when speaking a new language and misusing phrases or expressions.
Using informal language in a formal setting may seem impolite.
Compare with
brusquediscourteousdisrespectfulinconsiderateinsolentpertinentrudetactlessunciviluncouth
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Video examples
Brain Magic - The Money...
what's your name Andrea hi Angie I'm Eric nice to meet you a magician from Canada don't hold it against me have you ever been to Canada you should it's super nice it's super warm there's no snow people you'll be super impolite
Video examples
Is civility a sham? PIPE...
We're told that civility is simply a synonym for respect, for good manners, for politeness, but at the same time, it's clear that to accuse someone of incivility is much, much worse than calling them impolite,
Video examples
Brain Magic - The Money...
what's your name Andrea hi Angie I'm Eric nice to meet you a magician from Canada don't hold it against me have you ever been to Canada you should it's super nice it's super warm there's no snow people you'll be super impolite
Video examples
Is civility a sham? PIPE...
We're told that civility is simply a synonym for respect, for good manners, for politeness, but at the same time, it's clear that to accuse someone of incivility is much, much worse than calling them impolite,
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
John Battelle
American Businessman
An elaborate system of etiquette and social standards flowered around the home phone: how long a child might be allowed to stay on the phone, how late one could call without being impolite, and of course, the dread implications of a late night call which violated that norm.
Quote examples
Patrick O'Brian
English Novelist
The first interviews I gave were entirely unpleasant. You have people trying to trip you up with impolite questions that have nothing to do with the books. It's simply vulgar curiosity, and I won't have it.
Quote examples
Adriana Lima
Brazilian Model
If you're having dinner with friends and they're always on the phone or always texting, it's just impolite. Unless it's something important - like someone is in the hospital or something - don't do it.
Quote examples
Niki Lauda
Austrian Athlete
When, after the accident, I came out into the world and people looked at me, they were shocked. It upset me. I thought they were impolite not to hide their negative emotions about my look.
Quote examples
Victoria Coren Mitchell
English Writer
It may be vain to care too much how you look, but it is impolite to care too little. You do a generous thing for the world when you present yourself properly.
Quote examples
Kellyanne Conway
American Businesswoman
Gov. Huckabee seems like somebody who could run effectively against a female candidate and not make it seem like he's being derogatory and impolite.
Quote examples
Jamie Johnson
American Director
I was raised not to talk about money. It was considered impolite.
Quote examples
Kurt Vonnegut
American Writer
I now make my living by being impolite. I am clumsy at it.
Quote examples
Manoj Bhargava
American Businessman
To me, it's impolite to go out shopping with no money.
Quote examples
Marcus Mariota
American Athlete
There's no reason to be angry or impolite.
Quote examples
John Battelle
American Businessman
An elaborate system of etiquette and social standards flowered around the home phone: how long a child might be allowed to stay on the phone, how late one could call without being impolite, and of course, the dread implications of a late night call which violated that norm.
Quote examples
Patrick O'Brian
English Novelist
The first interviews I gave were entirely unpleasant. You have people trying to trip you up with impolite questions that have nothing to do with the books. It's simply vulgar curiosity, and I won't have it.
Quote examples
Adriana Lima
Brazilian Model
If you're having dinner with friends and they're always on the phone or always texting, it's just impolite. Unless it's something important - like someone is in the hospital or something - don't do it.
Quote examples
Niki Lauda
Austrian Athlete
When, after the accident, I came out into the world and people looked at me, they were shocked. It upset me. I thought they were impolite not to hide their negative emotions about my look.
Quote examples
Victoria Coren Mitchell
English Writer
It may be vain to care too much how you look, but it is impolite to care too little. You do a generous thing for the world when you present yourself properly.
Quote examples
Kellyanne Conway
American Businesswoman
Gov. Huckabee seems like somebody who could run effectively against a female candidate and not make it seem like he's being derogatory and impolite.
Quote examples
Jamie Johnson
American Director
I was raised not to talk about money. It was considered impolite.
Quote examples
Kurt Vonnegut
American Writer
I now make my living by being impolite. I am clumsy at it.
Quote examples
Manoj Bhargava
American Businessman
To me, it's impolite to go out shopping with no money.
Quote examples
Marcus Mariota
American Athlete
There's no reason to be angry or impolite.
Example 1 of 10
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