impolite

[ im-puh-lahyt ]

adjective

1. not polite or courteous; discourteous; rude:

   an impolite reply.

   Synonyms: rough, ill-mannered, boorish, insolent, uncivil, disrespectful

impolite

/ ˌɪmpəˈlaɪt /

adjective

1. discourteous; rude; uncivil

Derived Forms

• ˌimpoˈliteness, noun
• ˌimpoˈlitely, adverb

Other Words From

• impo·litely adverb
• impo·liteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impolite¹

First recorded in 1605–15, impolite is from the Latin word impolītus rough, unpolished. See im- ², polite

Example Sentences

Imagine watching a television where an impolite houseguest holds the remote control and arbitrarily changes the channels.

From Salon

“It’s perhaps not an offence, but it’s very, very impolite. So please stop this,” he said, suggesting a fine or even arrest could follow if the behaviour became more serious.

From BBC

“Despite some judgments of him as crude and impolite, I liked that he was candid,” Moon writes.

From Los Angeles Times

The president, on the other hand, relishes being impolite.

From BBC

It was unclear if there was anybody inside, but a human driver might know this is impolite and awkward.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• boorish
• disrespectful
• rude