politely

politely — adverb

1. with considerate words or actions that treat other people well and avoid upsetti

1.adverbB1
Definition

with considerate words or actions that treat other people well and avoid upsetting them.

Example

Nina politely asked the waiter for a clean spoon.

politely ask for something

At the station, Omar politely let the old woman go first.

Common collocations
  • politely ask
  • speak politely
  • politely explain
  • politely refuse
  • politely thank someone
Synonyms
  • courteously

    more formal and often used in careful writing

  • respectfully

    stresses showing respect, especially to someone older or more senior

  • considerately

    focuses more on thinking about another person's comfort or feelings

Antonyms
  • rudely

    shows bad manners or open disrespect

  • impolitely

    direct opposite, often in more formal wording

Grammar Patterns

speak politely

politely ask for something

politely tell someone that-clause

politely refuse

Usage Note

Usually used with speaking and social actions such as ask, refuse, explain, thank, and greet. Distinguish from sense 2 (WITHOUT WARMTH): this sense normally suggests real respect, not just correct behavior.

Common Mistakes

She spoke polite to the customer.
She spoke politely to the customer.
use the adverb to describe how someone speaks.
He asked politely for leave early.
He politely asked to leave early.
politely usually goes with the asking, not directly before the reason.

2. with correct-sounding kindness that stays on the surface and does not show real

2.adverbB2
Definition

with correct-sounding kindness that stays on the surface and does not show real warmth or interest.

Example

Julia smiled politely, then turned back to her phone.

surface politeness without interest

The guests politely clapped, but nobody asked for another song.

Common collocations
  • smile politely
  • politely clap
  • politely agree
  • politely praise
  • politely say hello
Synonyms
  • formally

    focuses on following social rules or official style, not on hidden feeling

  • coolly

    shows clearer emotional distance and can sound more negative

  • stiffly

    suggests awkward or uncomfortable correctness

Antonyms
  • warmly

    shows real friendliness and feeling

  • enthusiastically

    shows strong positive feeling instead of restrained correctness

  • sincerely

    stresses that the feeling or praise is genuine

Grammar Patterns

smile politely

politely clap

politely agree

politely praise

Usage Note

Often appears with verbs such as smile, clap, agree, praise, or say hello when someone follows social rules without much feeling. Distinguish from sense 1 (GOOD MANNERS): here the action may hide boredom, doubt, or dislike.

Common Mistakes

He smiled politely because he was truly glad to see us.
He smiled warmly because he was truly glad to see us.
politely can suggest correct behavior without real warmth.
The crowd politely cheered for the winning team.
The crowd enthusiastically cheered for the winning team.
politely does not fit strong, excited support.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Politely' is the broad everyday word for behaving in a socially acceptable and kind way. 'Courteously' is close in meaning, but it sounds more formal and is common in announcements, service language, or careful writing. 'Respectfully' is best when the main idea is showing proper respect to a teacher, elder, judge, or other authority figure. 'Considerately' goes beyond manners and stresses thinking about another person's comfort or feelings. 'Tactfully' focuses on choosing words carefully in a sensitive situation, especially when the truth may hurt. You can politely ask for a spoon, respectfully address a professor, or tactfully tell a friend that the shirt does not fit.

politely ↗courteouslyrespectfully ↗consideratelytactfully

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Politely combines the adjective polite with the common English adverb ending -ly. Polite came into English through French from Latin words connected with something polished or smoothed. The older image was that a well-brought-up person was socially polished, and that idea still survives in politely when it describes careful, acceptable manners.