What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
courteously
Example
The receptionist greeted the guests courteously. [courteously: adverb]
Example
He courteously held the door open for the elderly lady. [courteously: adverb]
politely
Example
She politely declined the invitation. [politely: adverb]
Example
He spoke politely to his boss during the meeting. [politely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Politely is more commonly used than courteously in everyday language. Politely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while courteously is less common and is often used in professional or business settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between courteously and politely?
Courteously is more formal than politely and is often used in professional or business settings. Politely is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
