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

Crafted from soft, breathable cotton fabric and ultra-stretchy material, this classic cotton-blend long-sleeve provides a cozy yet polished look for any kind of travel, from hiking to flying to running errands. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

The faux leather has a sleek, polished finish, and the round toe and ridged sole add a little edge — while keeping you steady on slick sidewalks. —Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

Handy makes remote monitoring dead simple, while Studio feels polished and powerful without being overwhelming. —PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025

The tiara is a modern iteration on the quintessential royal accessory, featuring diamonds and baguettes with polished white gold. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025

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