impolite

USAGE SUMMARY

'impolite' is a perfectly correct word for written English, and it is commonly used.
You can use it when someone is lacking in good etiquette, or is being rude or discourteous. For example: "The guest was extremely impolite, talking loudly and interrupting others in the middle of conversations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is, he felt scabbing would have be been impolite.

The Guardian

To act otherwise would have been "aggressive" and impolite.

The Guardian

As every post is sent to the city halls – and this one got a lot of attention and support from the crowd – the city administration decided to start a campaign to prevent impolite drivers from parking on the sidewalks.

The Guardian

Their hair can be messy and their gestures impolite.

The Economist

As confidence returns, it seems almost impolite to point out that the British economy still has a sickly core of weak investment, productivity and wages, and that hard policy decisions lie ahead.The economy grew at an annualised rate of 1.2% in the first quarter.

The Economist

But they did not have to change like this.Though it was impolite of Donald Rumsfeld to have dwelt so gleefully on the divisions between "old" and "new" Europe, he got it rightOne victim is the EU itself.

The Economist

They make fun of akhunds, an impolite word for mullahs, and crack jokes about seminarians whose ambition is to parrot their teachers' every banality.

The Economist

It is called "Protecting speaker's face in impolite exchanges: The negotiation of face-wants in workplace interaction".Students of politeness explore many aspects of social behaviour: how status relates to language, the use of calculated rudeness in broadcast media interviews and the use of the intimate/formal forms of address (called the T-V divide after the French forms tu and vous).

The Economist

Over three serious hours it deals with the black American experience and in Hollywood, although it is impolite to say so, serious black films do not make money.Predictably, some critics have been left slightly cold by what Ms Winfrey has called her "Schindler's List"—"more admirable than involving", wrote one.

The Economist

No one is so impolite as to ask, but the guests may talk about it later.The prince could be a puzzle even to those who claimed to know him well.

The Economist

Try not to be offended Germans tend to be direct.Eating and drinking It is considered impolite to start drinking before everyone has raised glasses together, a procedure you usually repeat with each round.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's behavior, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Impolite" is a general term, but alternatives like "rude", "discourteous", or "disrespectful" can add precision.

Common error

Avoid labeling someone as "impolite" if their actions are due to ignorance or cultural differences. "Impolite" implies a deliberate lack of consideration, whereas a simple mistake may stem from unfamiliarity.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "impolite" primarily functions to describe behavior or actions that lack good manners, courtesy, or respect. Ludwig confirms that "impolite" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impolite" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective to describe behavior lacking in courtesy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its frequency across various sources, particularly News & Media and Encyclopedias, underscores its relevance in describing breaches of social etiquette. While synonymous with terms like "rude" and "discourteous", "impolite" carries a more nuanced connotation, denoting a lack of social graces rather than outright offensiveness. When using "impolite", consider the context and intended impact, choosing alternatives like "disrespectful" or "ill-mannered" for added precision. Avoid using "impolite" to describe unintentional actions arising from ignorance or cultural misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discourteous

Direct synonym, emphasizing lack of respect.

rude

A simpler and more direct term for lacking good manners.

uncivil

Highlights a lack of refinement or social graces.

disrespectful

Focuses on showing a lack of respect.

ill-mannered

Emphasizes poor manners and etiquette.

boorish

Suggests a crude and insensitive lack of manners.

churlish

Implies surliness and a lack of graciousness.

ungracious

Indicates a lack of thankfulness or kindness.

bad-mannered

General term for having poor manners.

indelicate

Suggests a lack of tact or sensitivity.

FAQs

How can I use "impolite" in a sentence?

You can use "impolite" to describe behavior that lacks good manners or shows disrespect. For example, "It's considered "impolite" to interrupt someone when they are speaking."

What is the difference between "impolite" and "rude"?

"Impolite" suggests a lack of social graces, while "rude" implies a more direct and offensive disregard for others. Rudeness is generally considered a stronger form of being "impolite".

When is it appropriate to describe someone as "impolite"?

It's appropriate to use "impolite" when someone's behavior violates social norms of courtesy and respect, but isn't necessarily overtly offensive. This could include actions like talking loudly in a quiet setting or failing to say "thank you".

What are some synonyms for "impolite"?

Alternatives to "impolite" include "discourteous", "uncivil", "disrespectful", and "ill-mannered". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of rudeness you want to convey.