polished

adjective

pol·​ished ˈpä-lisht How to pronounce polished (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pair it with a plaid skirt for a bit of ‘90s revival, or add it to your work week rotation with polished trousers and loafers. Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 According to Pinterest’s 2025 Fall Trends Report, searches for preppy staples are skyrocketing as folks embrace this polished aesthetic. Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025 Whereas Joseph Mitchell’s pristine artistry and Janet Malcolm’s penetrating eye seemed otherworldly, the elements of what made a McKelway story work were legible to me, albeit polished to their highest form. David Grann, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025 Social media consumers are accustomed to blurry, low-quality cellphone videos amassing millions of views, often outperforming polished content. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polished

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of polished was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Polished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polished. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on polished

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!