politeness

politeness — noun

1. speech or behaviour that fits social rules and tries not to hurt or ignore other

1.nounB2
Definition

speech or behaviour that fits social rules and tries not to hurt or ignore other people, sometimes only because it is expected

Example

The waitress handled the rude customer with calm politeness.

with + politeness

Out of politeness, Kenji accepted a second cup of tea.

fixed phrase: out of politeness

Common collocations
  • basic politeness
  • common politeness
  • mere politeness
  • show politeness
  • lack politeness
Synonyms
  • courtesy

    is slightly more formal and is common in public or service situations

  • good manners

    is the everyday phrase for socially acceptable behaviour

  • civility

    is more formal and often used for respectful behaviour in public life

  • graciousness

    suggests warmer and more genuine kindness than mere social correctness

Antonyms
  • rudeness

    is the direct opposite and suggests openly bad manners

  • impoliteness

    is a more formal noun for behaviour that is not polite

  • discourtesy

    is formal and often used for a particular rude act

Grammar Patterns

politeness toward someone

show politeness

out of politeness

Usage Note

Usually uncountable and often discussed as something people show, lack, or do out of politeness. The fixed phrase out of politeness can suggest social habit rather than real warmth.

Common Mistakes

He thanked the waiter for his polite.
He thanked the waiter for his politeness.
use the noun after a possessive like 'his'.
Mia accepted the gift for politeness.
Mia accepted the gift out of politeness.
the fixed phrase is 'out of politeness'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, politeness is the broad everyday word for behaviour that follows social rules and respects other people. Courtesy is slightly more formal and is common in customer service, letters, and public notices. Good manners is less formal and often appears when adults teach children how to behave at home or school. Civility is more formal still and is often used for respectful conduct in public discussion, politics, or the workplace. Graciousness adds warmth and generosity, so it sounds more heartfelt than politeness, which can sometimes be only social habit. You can thank a waiter for his courtesy, remind a child about good manners, or praise a host for genuine graciousness.

courtesy ↗good mannerscivility ↗graciousness

Common collocations

Nouns

  • basic politeness
  • social politeness

Phrases

  • out of politeness
  • a matter of politeness

Prepositions

  • politeness toward someone
  • with politeness

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Politeness was formed in English from polite and the noun ending -ness. Polite came through French from a Latin verb meaning 'to polish', so the word first suggested being refined or smooth before it settled on today's sense of good manners.