What does polite mean?
Word: Polite
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Polite means speaking and behaving in a kind, respectful way, with good manners.
Synonyms: courteous, well-mannered, respectful
Antonyms: ill-mannered
How do you spell polite?
Syllables: po - lite
Tricky part: Polite has a single l. The end sounds like light, but there is no gh in it.
Watch out for: pollite, polight, polit
Memory tip: A polite child may light up a room, but the word polite keeps the gh of light out.
Polite in a sentence
Example 1: It is polite to wait for everyone before starting to eat.
Example 2: The shopkeeper stayed polite even though the queue was long.
Example 3: Leo wrote a polite note to thank his neighbour for the mangoes.
Fun Fact
Polite comes from Latin politus, meaning polished, so a polite person's manners have been smoothed like polished wood.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
polite
a) rude
b) gentle
c) modest
d) humble
Show answer
a) rude. A rude person has bad manners; gentle, humble and modest people are usually well behaved.
Word Makeup
Choose the prefix that completes the word:
polite
a) dis
b) un
c) in
d) im
Show answer
d) im. Before a p, not is often shown by im, as in impatient and impossible.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
poliete
a) i
b) t
c) o
d) e
Show answer
d) e. Only one e belongs in the word, at the very end after the t.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
tilope
a) polite
b) poetic
c) police
d) pilot
Show answer
a) polite. Police and poetic both need a c, and pilot leaves the e out.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which request sounds the most polite?
a) Could you pass the salt, please?
b) Pass the salt, will you?
c) I want the salt right now.
d) Give me the salt quickly.
Show answer
a) Could you pass the salt, please?
2. Which is a polite thing to do on a crowded bus?
a) offer your seat to an older person
b) talk loudly on your phone
c) push ahead to get off first
d) keep your bag on the seat beside you
Show answer
a) offer your seat to an older person
