Polite
adjective
Showing good manners and respect for others.
It's polite to say 'please' and 'thank you' when somebody does something for you.
Often appears as...
- polite conversation
- polite request
adjective
Done in a smooth, attractive and seemingly effortless way, often to deceive.
He gave me a polite answer, avoiding any real issues.
Often appears as...
- polite conversation
- polite refusal
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
adjective
Refined, sophisticated; of or relating to polite society.
She's too polite to point out that it's actually his third helping.
Often appears as...
- polite society
- polite company
adjective
Of geometrical figure: regulated, organized.
A polite triangle has an integral number of points on its boundary.
Often appears as...
- polite triangle
- polite geometrical figure
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
Showing good manners and respect for others.
It's polite to say 'please' and 'thank you' when somebody does something for you.
Often appears as...
- polite conversation
- polite request
adjective
Done in a smooth, attractive and seemingly effortless way, often to deceive.
He gave me a polite answer, avoiding any real issues.
Often appears as...
- polite conversation
- polite refusal
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
adjective
Refined, sophisticated; of or relating to polite society.
She's too polite to point out that it's actually his third helping.
Often appears as...
- polite society
- polite company
adjective
Of geometrical figure: regulated, organized.
A polite triangle has an integral number of points on its boundary.
Often appears as...
- polite triangle
- polite geometrical figure
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
What's considered polite can differ across cultures, so be aware of local customs.
In some cultures, it's polite to belch after a meal.
Pro Tip 2/3Sincerity Matters
Being polite is not just about words, but also about the sincerity behind them.
She asked how I was in such a polite tone, I felt she truly cared.
Pro Tip 3/3Too Polite
Overusing polite manners can sometimes seem insincere or create distance.
He was so excessively polite that it came off as cold.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
What's considered polite can differ across cultures, so be aware of local customs.
In some cultures, it's polite to belch after a meal.
Pro Tip 2/3Sincerity Matters
Being polite is not just about words, but also about the sincerity behind them.
She asked how I was in such a polite tone, I felt she truly cared.
Pro Tip 3/3Too Polite
Overusing polite manners can sometimes seem insincere or create distance.
He was so excessively polite that it came off as cold.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Variance
What's considered polite can differ across cultures, so be aware of local customs.
In some cultures, it's polite to belch after a meal.
Pro Tip 2/3Sincerity Matters
Being polite is not just about words, but also about the sincerity behind them.
She asked how I was in such a polite tone, I felt she truly cared.
Pro Tip 3/3Too Polite
Overusing polite manners can sometimes seem insincere or create distance.
He was so excessively polite that it came off as cold.
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Video examples
Why we laugh PIPE Sophie...
that suggests there might be two kinds of laughs that we have. So it seems possible that the neurobiology for helpless, involuntary laughter, like my parents lying on the floor screaming about a silly song, might have a different basis to it than some of that more polite social laughter that you encounter, which isn't horrible laughter,
Video examples
David Mackay: A reality...
other people's renewables, so we could go back and talk very politely to the people in the top left-hand side of the diagram and say, "Uh, we don't want renewables in our backyard, but, um, please could we put them in yours instead?" And that's a serious option. It's a way for the world to handle this issue.
Video examples
Are you a giver or a...
We're actually pretty bad at figuring out who's a taker, especially on first impressions. There's a personality trait that throws us off. It's called agreeableness, one the major dimensions of personality across cultures. Agreeable people are warm and friendly, they're nice, they're polite.
Video examples
The Chinese zodiac,...
Asking a zodiac sign is a polite way of asking your age. By revealing your zodiac sign, you are also being evaluated. Judgments are being made about your fortune or misfortune, your personality, career prospects and how you will do in a given year.
Video examples
What is a gift economy?...
This holiday season, people around the world will give and receive presents. You might even get a knitted sweater from an aunt. But what if instead of saying "thanks" before consigning it to the closet, the polite response expected from you
Video examples
Elon Musk talks Twitter,...
hate politician x yeah next tweet is i wish polite politician x wasn't alive as we some of us have said about putin right now for example so that's legitimate speech another tweet is i wish politician x wasn't alive with a picture of their
Video examples
I don't want children --...
in the way that adults do at the absurdities of children. And they would tell me knowingly, "You'll change your mind." And people have been saying things like that to me my whole life. Otherwise polite conversation can turn intrusive fast.
Video examples
Children of U.S. Civil...
which evidently was very close and uh very polite um lincoln had asked him if you would like to see some field reports sent in by some field commanders on the battlefield and my father said yes so lincoln had given him the reports to
Video examples
Sophisticated Mountain...
got a lot of respect for the little hairs so I just managed to get really close to a mountain here it's very obliged very polite little hair it has sort of wandered off now and you can see behind me that's why I was filming because
Video examples
Technology worth loving...
if I'm using a silver spoon I feel very fancy because I'm using a plastic spoon that's exciting one of do dishes at night if I'm using my hands or them you know feel kind of savage it's not very polite and I have this emotional
Video examples
Why we laugh PIPE Sophie...
that suggests there might be two kinds of laughs that we have. So it seems possible that the neurobiology for helpless, involuntary laughter, like my parents lying on the floor screaming about a silly song, might have a different basis to it than some of that more polite social laughter that you encounter, which isn't horrible laughter,
Video examples
David Mackay: A reality...
other people's renewables, so we could go back and talk very politely to the people in the top left-hand side of the diagram and say, "Uh, we don't want renewables in our backyard, but, um, please could we put them in yours instead?" And that's a serious option. It's a way for the world to handle this issue.
Video examples
Are you a giver or a...
We're actually pretty bad at figuring out who's a taker, especially on first impressions. There's a personality trait that throws us off. It's called agreeableness, one the major dimensions of personality across cultures. Agreeable people are warm and friendly, they're nice, they're polite.
Video examples
The Chinese zodiac,...
Asking a zodiac sign is a polite way of asking your age. By revealing your zodiac sign, you are also being evaluated. Judgments are being made about your fortune or misfortune, your personality, career prospects and how you will do in a given year.
Video examples
What is a gift economy?...
This holiday season, people around the world will give and receive presents. You might even get a knitted sweater from an aunt. But what if instead of saying "thanks" before consigning it to the closet, the polite response expected from you
Video examples
Elon Musk talks Twitter,...
hate politician x yeah next tweet is i wish polite politician x wasn't alive as we some of us have said about putin right now for example so that's legitimate speech another tweet is i wish politician x wasn't alive with a picture of their
Video examples
I don't want children --...
in the way that adults do at the absurdities of children. And they would tell me knowingly, "You'll change your mind." And people have been saying things like that to me my whole life. Otherwise polite conversation can turn intrusive fast.
Video examples
Children of U.S. Civil...
which evidently was very close and uh very polite um lincoln had asked him if you would like to see some field reports sent in by some field commanders on the battlefield and my father said yes so lincoln had given him the reports to
Video examples
Sophisticated Mountain...
got a lot of respect for the little hairs so I just managed to get really close to a mountain here it's very obliged very polite little hair it has sort of wandered off now and you can see behind me that's why I was filming because
Video examples
Technology worth loving...
if I'm using a silver spoon I feel very fancy because I'm using a plastic spoon that's exciting one of do dishes at night if I'm using my hands or them you know feel kind of savage it's not very polite and I have this emotional
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Geri Halliwell
British Musician
My daughter is the biggest gift; I've said it so many times and it sounds like a cliche, but the thing about being a parent is when you think you've cracked it, and you're on top of your game, they change again and you have to catch up and adjust. I feel such a responsibility to instill good values in her, to be polite, to have discipline.
Quote examples
Jim McKelvey
American Businessman
Personally, I don't want to do a lot of angel deals in a year. I get approached a lot. I'm becoming less and less polite, which doesn't seem to be helping. A lot of the things I get pitched on are from people who just want to make money.
Quote examples
Gene Simmons
American Musician
The only jobs kids have are to do well in school, to be charming and polite, and be thankful. That's it. I'll house you, protect you, I'll even give my life for you, and in return, you will behave.
Quote examples
Eugene Levy
Canadian Actor
I am the common man. I'm polite, I love my family and I play by the rules. And sometimes I get pushed around. That's my lifestyle, and that's what I try to bring to characters.
Quote examples
J. Michael Straczynski
American Producer
When a book of mine comes out, I instantly go hunting the net, not for praise, but for criticism, because that's how you learn, from people who don't have to be polite to you.
Quote examples
John McAfee
American Businessman
My fragile connection with the world of polite society has, without a doubt, been severed.
Quote examples
Gerald Chertavian
American Businessman
I've never been afraid to make a polite ask to someone.
Quote examples
Douglas Booth
English Actor
I would hope I was raised polite and charming.
Quote examples
Fran Lebowitz
American Journalist
Polite conversation is rarely either.
Quote examples
Joseph Joubert
French Writer
Politeness is the flower of humanity.
Quote examples
Geri Halliwell
British Musician
My daughter is the biggest gift; I've said it so many times and it sounds like a cliche, but the thing about being a parent is when you think you've cracked it, and you're on top of your game, they change again and you have to catch up and adjust. I feel such a responsibility to instill good values in her, to be polite, to have discipline.
Quote examples
Jim McKelvey
American Businessman
Personally, I don't want to do a lot of angel deals in a year. I get approached a lot. I'm becoming less and less polite, which doesn't seem to be helping. A lot of the things I get pitched on are from people who just want to make money.
Quote examples
Gene Simmons
American Musician
The only jobs kids have are to do well in school, to be charming and polite, and be thankful. That's it. I'll house you, protect you, I'll even give my life for you, and in return, you will behave.
Quote examples
Eugene Levy
Canadian Actor
I am the common man. I'm polite, I love my family and I play by the rules. And sometimes I get pushed around. That's my lifestyle, and that's what I try to bring to characters.
Quote examples
J. Michael Straczynski
American Producer
When a book of mine comes out, I instantly go hunting the net, not for praise, but for criticism, because that's how you learn, from people who don't have to be polite to you.
Quote examples
John McAfee
American Businessman
My fragile connection with the world of polite society has, without a doubt, been severed.
Quote examples
Gerald Chertavian
American Businessman
I've never been afraid to make a polite ask to someone.
Quote examples
Douglas Booth
English Actor
I would hope I was raised polite and charming.
Quote examples
Fran Lebowitz
American Journalist
Polite conversation is rarely either.
Quote examples
Joseph Joubert
French Writer
Politeness is the flower of humanity.
Example 1 of 10
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