B2nounsocietyrelationships
US/pəˈlaɪt.nəs/
UK/pəˈlaɪt.nəs/
behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people's feelings
In context
In many cultures, politeness is shown by taking your shoes off at the door.
She thanked him out of politeness, though she did not like the gift.
The waiter treated every customer with great politeness.
Words that go with politeness
noun + preposition
- out of politenessHe asked about my trip out of politeness.
- a matter of politenessSaying thank you is simply a matter of politeness.
- standards of politenessStandards of politeness differ from country to country.
adjective + noun
- formal politenessTheir formal politeness hid how angry they were.
- excessive politenessExcessive politeness can sound insincere.
verb + noun
- show politenessChildren are taught to show politeness to elders.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
a politenessCorrect: politeness