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

Integrated circuits are built layer by layer on these polished discs, making a stable supply of wafers essential for manufacturing memory chips, processors and other advanced electronics. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026

The frame within a frame effect takes the polished look to the next level. — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026

My mom loves a sneaker that looks polished but still feels lived in, and this mixed‑material pair hits that sweet spot. — Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026

Print media gave the public access only to politicians’ polished remarks; video let Americans see their presidents sweat, sneeze, and stammer. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 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