Politeness

/pəˈlaɪt.nəs/

Meaning & Definition

noun

the quality of being courteous or respectful in manner.

Her politeness in addressing the guests made a good impression.

an act of politeness; a courteous gesture or remark.

He offered his seat out of politeness when the elderly woman entered the bus.

the social norms that govern respectful behavior.

Politeness is valued in many cultures as a fundamental aspect of etiquette.

From Middle French 'politesse', from Latin 'politus' meaning polished.

polite society

A group of people who follow the norms of behavior expected in formal settings.

out of politeness

Doing something as a courtesy or to be considerate, even if one does not want to.

common courtesy

A standard of proper behavior that is expected in social interactions.

courteous

Showing consideration and respect for others.

manners

A person's outward bearing or way of behaving toward others.

deferential

Showing respect and yielding to the judgment or opinion of others.

Nice-ness

He really showed his nice-ness by helping the elderly lady cross the street.

Good vibes

The good vibes in the room were all due to the host's politeness.