polished

adjective

pol·​ished ˈpä-lisht 

1

: subjected to polishing : made smooth and glossy by or as if by polishing

a polished surface

polished silver

2

: characterized by a high degree of development, finish, or refinement : free from imperfections

a polished performance/performer

a highly polished piece of writing

3

somewhat old-fashioned : characterized by elegance and refinement

a polished gentleman

polished society

Synonyms of polished

• sleek
• glossy
• glistening
• satin

Examples of polished in a Sentence

she could see her face reflected in the polished hood of the car

showing the polished manners of a cosmopolitan woman

Recent Examples on the Web

Rooms The hotel has 153 guest rooms and 43 suites, balancing intimate luxury with the polished scale expected of a grand Mayfair address. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026

The shoes are designed for both poolside lounging and fancier occasions in mind, since they can be easily wiped dry and buffed with a leather cleansing cream for a polished look. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026

The texture is robust yet polished, with a medium-full body that coats the mouth without becoming cloying. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

By multiple accounts, the late March meetings were not always polished. —Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English polisshed, from past participle of polisshen to polish

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polished

• abolished
• demolished
• unpolished