Politely means doing or saying something in a way that shows respect and good manners. When you ask politely for someone to pass the salt at dinner, you say “please” and use a friendly tone instead of just demanding it. When you politely decline an invitation you can't accept, you thank the person for asking and explain kindly why you can't come.

Acting politely doesn't mean being fake or pretending to like something you don't. It means treating others with consideration, even in difficult situations. You can politely disagree with a friend's opinion by saying “I see it differently” instead of “that's stupid.” You can politely interrupt someone by saying “excuse me” instead of just talking over them.

The opposite of acting politely is being rude or inconsiderate. If someone cuts in line, they're not behaving politely. If they ask, “May I get ahead of you? I'm really late,” they're being polite, even though they're still asking for something that benefits them.

Being polite smooths social interactions and helps people feel respected. Sometimes you might feel frustrated or annoyed but still choose to act politely, which shows self-control and maturity.