politely
Americanadverb
-
in a way that shows good manners toward others; courteously.
The bar is extremely busy, so the ability to work efficiently and politely under pressure is essential.
Although the coaches encouraged him to try out for the team, he politely declined and went back to his books.
-
in a way that shows refinement, consideration, or elegance.
The goal is politely described as "optimistic" by the auditors; privately, most observers view it as total fantasy.
The artist’s journals start politely—small watercolors and writing fill the early pages, but by the end they are overflowing and untameable.
Other Word Forms
- superpolitely adverb
Etymology
Origin of politely
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Vance and Rubio politely debated the matter with Leo in a visit to Rome soon after his election last May.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026
Officer Manny Gomez politely asked everyone to stay on the sidewalk.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
"These conditions don't just coexist politely," Gaffey says.
From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026
Wiatrowski politely said it was all nonsense at a conference in Washington sponsored by the nation’s largest association of professional economists.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026
On my politely bidding him Good-morning, he said, pompously, “Seven times nine, boy?”
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
