impolite
gb/ɪmpəlˈaɪt/ us/ɪmpəlˈaɪt/
B1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B1
property
1
not polite; rude
If someone is impolite, they are not polite and they do not show good manners.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is impolite (to [someone]); it is impolite to [do something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *unpolite*; the common word is impolite (or rude).
Synonymes
rude (More direct and often stronger than impolite.)
|
discourteous (More formal; emphasizes lack of courtesy.)
|
unmannerly (More old-fashioned; emphasizes bad manners.)
Antonymes
polite (Showing good manners and respect.)
|
courteous (Especially considerate and respectful in manners.)
|
respectful (Emphasizes showing respect, not just good manners.)
Collocations
impolite behavior
|impolite remarks
|impolite language
|impolite tone
|impolite gesture
|impolite response
|impolite to ask
|impolite to interrupt
|impolite to stare
|impolite to ignore someone
Thèmes
communication
|social_norms
|daily_life
Exemples
- It’s impolite to interrupt someone when they’re speaking.
- She apologized for being impolite to the waiter.
- I didn’t mean to be impolite, but I had to leave early.
Exemples pédagogiques
- It is impolite to talk with your mouth full.
- Please don’t be impolite to your teacher.
adjective
B2
property
2
slightly obscene or crude
Impolite can also mean a bit rude or sexual, especially about jokes or words.
Schéma d’usage :
impolite [joke/story/word/meaning]
Erreur fréquente :
This meaning is usually about words/jokes/topics, not about everyday manners (e.g., 'impolite joke' vs 'impolite customer').
Synonymes
crude (Often stronger; suggests rough, offensive directness.)
|
risqué (Suggests mildly sexual content; often playful.)
|
obscene (Stronger; clearly offensive or explicit.)
Antonymes
clean (Family-friendly; not sexual or offensive.)
|
decent (Acceptable and not offensive in polite society.)
Collocations
impolite joke
|impolite jokes
|impolite story
|impolite word
|impolite language
|impolite humor
|an impolite meaning
Thèmes
humor
|communication
|social_norms
Exemples
- He told a couple of impolite jokes at the party.
- The song includes some impolite language.
- I won’t repeat the impolite word he used.
Exemples pédagogiques
- That movie has a few impolite words.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
impolite
API
GB/ɪmpəlˈaɪt/
US/ɪmpəlˈaɪt/
Syllabes et accentuation
im - pol - ite (3 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ite)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: impolite
Famille de mots
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
impolitely
adverb B2
impoliteness
noun
Expressions
it’s impolite to ...
1/ˈɪts ɪmpəlˈaɪt tə |/
fixed phrase
say a behavior breaks manners
You use this to say an action is rude.
Exemples
- It’s impolite to check your phone during a meeting.
- It’s impolite to ask someone’s age in some cultures.
- It’s impolite to cut in line.
not to be impolite, but ...
1/nˈɑt tə bˈi ɪmpəlˈaɪt | bˈʌt |/
fixed phrase
soften criticism or disagreement
You say this before something that might sound rude.
Exemples
- Not to be impolite, but you’re blocking the screen.
- Not to be impolite, but I think you’ve made a mistake.
- Not to be impolite, but could you lower your voice?
would it be impolite to ...?
1/wˈʊd ˈɪt bˈi ɪmpəlˈaɪt tə ‖/
fixed phrase
ask if action is rude
You use this to ask politely if something is rude.
Exemples
- Would it be impolite to take this seat?
- Would it be impolite to ask how much you earn?
- Would it be impolite to leave a little early?