polish

¹pol·ish

verb \ˈpä-lish\

Definition of POLISH

transitive verb

1

: to make smooth and glossy usually by friction : burnish

2

: to smooth, soften, or refine in manners or condition

3

: to bring to a highly developed, finished, or refined state : perfect

intransitive verb

: to become smooth or glossy by or as if by friction

— pol·ish·er noun

Examples of POLISH

1. He spent the summer polishing his math skills.
2. <you'll need to polish your shoes with a clean rag before the performance>

Origin of POLISH

Middle English polisshen, from Anglo-French poliss-, stem of polir, from Latin polire

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to POLISH

Synonyms: buff, burnish, dress, furbish, gloss, grind, rub, shine, smooth, smoothen

Related Words: sleek, slick; coat, glaze, japan, lacquer, varnish; face, finish, veneer; brighten; file, rasp, sand, sandblast, sandpaper, scour, scrape, scrub; bob, bone, lap

Near Antonyms: rough (up), roughen, ruffle, scuff (up)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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