adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/pəˈlaɪtli/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -aɪtli
CMU ARPABET:P AH0 L AY1 T L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
in a polite manner
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
If pressed about a serious accusation like rape, you can politely reply that you can’t answer questions pertaining to such an allegation without legal representation and wish to remain silent.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adverb
Meaning 2
in a polite manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the policeman answered politely, `Now look here, lady...'
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: courteously
Antonyms: impolitely
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English polite Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English politely From polite + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
19 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Armenian:
քաղաքավարի
(kʻaġakʻavari)
— in a polite manner
Armenian:
քաղաքավարիորեն
(kʻaġakʻavarioren)
— in a polite manner
Catalan:
cortesament
— in a polite manner
Czech:
zdvořile
— in a polite manner
French:
poliment
— in a polite manner
Hindi:
सविनय
(savinay)
— in a polite manner
Hungarian:
udvariasan
— in a polite manner
Italian:
educatamente
— in a polite manner
Latin:
cōmiter
— in a polite manner
Norman:
polîment
— in a polite manner
Polish:
grzecznie
— in a polite manner
Polish:
kulturalnie
— in a polite manner
Romanian:
politicos
— in a polite manner
Russian:
ве́жливо
(véžlivo)
— in a polite manner
Spanish:
educadamente
— in a polite manner
Spanish:
cortésmente
— in a polite manner
Turkish:
kibarca
— in a polite manner
Ukrainian:
вві́чливо
(vvíčlyvo)
— in a polite manner
