Politeness Meaning
/pəˈlaɪtnəs/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe quality of being polite.
nounA polite act.
Sentence Examples
Some people say that English politeness is, at bottom, really fear.
This is because of the difference between Japanese politeness and American politeness.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ was evident when he offered his seat to the elderly passenger.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her natural ____ made her popular with clients who appreciated her warm and respectful manner.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English polite Proto-Germanic *-in- Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English politeness From polite + -ness.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"At school, where politeness is not one of the compulsory subjects, I was "Pup", "Puggy", "Ki-ki", "Balcombe Beauty", "Snarleywow", and other shafts of endearment. I was not petted."
— 1927, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados Mysteries:
"These politenesses left Miss Marley floundering for initiative, holding Jasper and being solemnly inspected by Podson, who clearly depended on her the convention of an afternoon call."
— 1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 145:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ was evident when he offered his seat to the elderly passenger.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her natural ____ made her popular with clients who appreciated her warm and respectful manner.