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

somewhat old-fashioned : freedom from rudeness or coarseness : culture

c

: a state of high development or refinement

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

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 of polish

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

Its style was in many ways a refinement of the final run of Diablos, smoothing and polishing the old car’s edges while adding strength and modernity to the design. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2025

Saodimallsu Pullover Sweater Comfy enough for a red-eye and polished enough for brunch—this pullover does it all. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

Noun

The brand made famous by Tom Brady’s ownership (the viral post-Superbowl toss of the world championship trophy happened from the bow of his Wajer 55S during a parade down Tampa’s waterfront) is the boat for anyone who wants polish and performance. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025

These palazzo pants strike the perfect balance between polish and ease, with a silky drape that looks good, even after long travel days. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 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