polish

1 of 4

verb

pol·​ish ˈpä-lish 

polished; polishing; polishes

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

polisher noun

polish

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

a

: a smooth glossy surface : luster

b

: freedom from rudeness or coarseness : culture

c

: a state of high development or refinement

2

: the action or process of polishing

3

: a preparation that is used to produce a gloss and often a color for the protection and decoration of a surface

furniture polish

nail polish

Polish

3 of 4

adjective

Pol·​ish ˈpō-lish 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, the Poles, or Polish

Polish

4 of 4

noun (2)

: the Slavic language of the Poles

Synonyms

Verb

• rub
• smooth
• shine
• coat
• gloss

Noun (1)

• accomplishment
• refinement
• culture
• education
• civilization
• knowledge
• cultivation
• literacy
• manners

Examples of polish in a Sentence

Verb

He spent the summer polishing his math skills.

you'll need to polish your shoes with a clean rag before the performance

Noun (1)

I need more shoe polish.

Did you use a wax polish on the table or an oil-based one?

The movie has the polish we've come to expect from that director.

He's rude and lacks polish.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Most recently, Alverson has also dipped his toe into advising sorority hopefuls as a rush coach — part of an emerging market for girls looking to polish up their image before heading off to college. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

Its software ecosystem is polished, and its hardware is mature. —PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Noun

Fashionphile said Stewart brings polish, the mastery of living and timeless style to the partnership — and embodies the spirit of authenticity and accessible luxury. —Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025

The bar’s sculptural design handles even the densest textiles while adding polish. —Jasmine Desiree, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025

Adjective

But her possible successor, Polish nun Agnieszka (Sylvia Hoeks), is hiding a secret. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 28 Aug. 2025

The Croatia international spent last season on loan with Westerlo, in the Belgian Pro League, having had a loan spell at Polish side Radomiak Radom during the second half of 2023-24. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

Noun

Tying all of these ideas together and applying a consistent level of polish to them also added time to the process. —Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2025

But in the early days of a startup, design polish doesn’t attract customers, partners, or investors. —Abdo Riani, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Adjective

Pole

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

1592, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1555, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polish

• apple-polish
• French polish
• nail polish
• polish off
• spit and polish
• take a high polish
• to a polish

Rhymes for polish

• gaulish
• smallish
• abolish
• demolish

Kids Definition

polish

1 of 4 verb

pol·​ish ˈpäl-ish 

1

: to make smooth and glossy usually by rubbing

2

: to smooth or improve in manners, condition, or style

3

: to bring to a highly developed or finished state

polish a technique

polisher noun

polish

2 of 4 noun

1

a

: a smooth glossy surface : luster

b

: good manners : refinement

2

: the action or process of polishing

3

: a substance prepared for use in polishing

shoe polish

nail polish

Polish

3 of 4 adjective

Pol·​ish ˈpō-lish 

: of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, the Poles, or Polish

Polish

4 of 4 noun

: the Slavic language of the Poles