Politeness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective phrase noun /pə-ˈlīt/ po·lite

Meaning & Definition of Politeness

Politeness (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture
  2. marked by refined cultural interests and pursuits especially in arts and belles lettres
  3. showing or characterized by correct social usage

Politeness (phrase)

  1. in order to be polite, in order to show good manners

Politeness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding

    "the little girl's politeness greatly impressed her teacher"

    similar: civility, courteousness, courtesy, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness
    related: attentiveness, consideration, thoughtfulness, ceremonialness, ceremoniousness, ceremony, formality, chivalrousness, chivalry, courtliness, gallantry, gentlemanliness, knighthood, knightliness, breeding, manners, suaveness, unctuousness, urbanity, elegance, refinement, deference, respect, decency, decorousness, decorum, gentilesse, polish, politesse, propriety, respectability, seemliness, affability, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, hospitality, sociability, felicitousness, gracefulness, humility, meekness, modesty, shyness
    opposite: discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness, ungraciousness
    near: audaciousness, audacity, boldness, brashness, brassiness, disrespect, impertinence, impudence, insolence, sauciness, shamelessness, boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, loutishness, vulgarity, casualness, informality, delinquency, improperness, impropriety, inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness, arrogance, conceit, presumption, pretentiousness

  2. an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners

    "inquiring after his wife was a simple politeness"

    similar: amenity, attention, civility, courtesy, formality, gesture, pleasantry
    related: honors, ceremony, observance, rite, ritual, decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties, addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects, favor, grace, kindliness, kindness, protocol, rules

Related Entry: Polite (adjective)

Polite is a different word from Politeness. The synonyms below are for polite, not for politeness.

  1. showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners

    "it's only polite to hold the door for the person behind you"

    similar: civil, courteous, genteel, gracious, mannerly, well-bred
    related: attentive, careful, considerate, nice, solicitous, thoughtful, chivalrous, civilized, courtly, gallant, gentlemanlike, gentlemanly, ladylike, ceremonial, ceremonious, red-carpet, couth, formal, smooth, suave, unctuous, urbane, elegant, refined, deferential, dutiful, respectful, submissive, yielding, acceptable, appropriate, becoming, befitting, comme il faut, correct, decent, decorous, fit, fitting, good, meet, proper, respectable, right, seemly, suitable, affable, cordial, friendly, genial, hospitable, pleasant, sociable, felicitous, graceful, demure, humble, meek, modest, unassertive
    opposite: discourteous, ill-bred, ill-mannered, impolite, inconsiderate, mannerless, rude, thoughtless, uncivil, ungenteel, ungracious, unmannered, unmannerly
    near: heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassy, disrespectful, impertinent, impudent, insolent, lippy, saucy, shameless, boorish, churlish, clodhopping, clownish, loutish, uncouth, vulgar, casual, informal, unceremonious, improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, uncalled-for, unrespectable, unseemly, arrogant, conceited, presuming, presumptuous, pretentious

  2. following the established traditions of refined society and good taste

    "such matters are never mentioned in polite conversation"

    similar: befitting, correct, de rigueur, decent, decorous, genteel, nice, proper, respectable, seemly
    related: acceptable, adequate, satisfactory, tolerable, dress, dressy, formal, dignified, elegant, gracious, priggish, prim, stiff, stuffy, apt, material, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, kosher, permitted
    opposite: improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly
    near: intolerable, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, casual, grungy, informal, seedy, shabby, tacky, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Politeness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Politeness:

civility, courteousness, courtesy, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, amenity, attention, formality, gesture, pleasantry

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Politeness

Words with the opposite meaning of Politeness:

discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness, ungraciousness

Related Words for Politeness

attentiveness, consideration, thoughtfulness, ceremonialness, ceremoniousness, ceremony, chivalrousness, chivalry, courtliness, gallantry, gentlemanliness, knighthood, knightliness, breeding, manners, suaveness, unctuousness, urbanity, elegance, refinement, deference, respect, decency, decorousness, decorum, gentilesse, polish, politesse, propriety, respectability

Near Antonyms of Politeness

audaciousness, audacity, boldness, brashness, brassiness, disrespect, impertinence, impudence, insolence, sauciness, shamelessness, boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, loutishness, vulgarity, casualness, informality, delinquency, improperness, impropriety, inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness, arrogance, conceit, presumption

Word Forms of Politeness

Inflections: politer, politest

Derived words: politely (adverb), politeness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Politeness

Middle English (Scots) polit, Latin politus, from past participle of polire

First known use: circa 1500

Words & Phrases Containing Politeness

out of politeness

Frequently Asked Questions about Politeness

What does "Politeness" mean?

"Politeness" means of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture. As an an adjective, a phrase and a noun, it is defined as: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Politeness"?

Other words for "Politeness" include civility, courteousness, courtesy, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness and amenity. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Politeness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Politeness"?

There are 74 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Politeness". Common alternatives include civility, courteousness, courtesy, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, amenity, attention and formality.

What is the opposite of "Politeness"?

Antonyms of "Politeness" include discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness and ungraciousness. Near antonyms include audaciousness, audacity, boldness and brashness.

How do you use "Politeness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Politeness" in a sentence: "the little girl's politeness greatly impressed her teacher"; "inquiring after his wife was a simple politeness".

Is "Politeness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Politeness" can be used as an adjective, a phrase and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Politeness"?

"Politeness" is pronounced /pə-ˈlīt/ and divided into syllables as po·lite.

What is the origin of the word "Politeness"?

"Politeness" comes from Middle English (Scots) polit, Latin politus, from past participle of polire. First known use: circa 1500.