► politebehaving 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:  The sales clerks were very polite and helpful. They have polite well-behaved children.
► respectful showing respect to a person and trying not to upset or offend him or her:  Johnny is not very respectful and has gotten in trouble with his teachers several times.
► courteous polite and respectful:  You should be courteous to other drivers.
► civil polite but not very friendly:  I know you don’t like him, but try to be civil.
► well-behaved behaving in a polite or socially acceptable way. Used especially about children:  My kids are usually well-behaved.
► somebody has good manners used to say that someone, usually a child, behaves in a polite way in social situations:  My parents like Jeremy because he has good manners.