Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - polite

~ adj 1 behaving or speaking in a way that is correct for the social situation you are in, and showing that you are careful to consider other people's needs and feelings  (a polite refusal | What polite well-behaved children! | it is polite to do sth)  (We left as soon as it was polite to do so. | It's not polite to talk with your mouth full.)  (- opposite rude (1), impolite) 2 polite conversation, remarks etc are made because it is considered socially correct to do this  (a few polite remarks about the weather | Nathaniel's sexual exploits are hardly the subject of polite conversation.) 3 in polite society/circles/company often humorous among people who are considered to have a good education and correct social behaviour  (You can't use words like that in polite company.) 4 just/only being polite spoken saying something you may not really believe or think, in order to avoid offending someone  (I know Ian said he liked her singing, but he was just being polite.) - politely adv - politeness n