Polish
POH-lihsh
Polish (verb) means to rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny. Example: “He polished his shoes before the interview.”
verb
1
To rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny.
"He polished his shoes before the interview."
"She spent an hour polishing the silverware."
2
To improve or refine something.
"The team polished their presentation the night before pitching."
noun
1
A substance used to make a surface shiny.
"She bought a new tin of shoe polish."
2
Refinement or elegance in appearance or performance.
"The final draft still needs a bit more polish."
How to use Polish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something shiny and smooth by rubbing, or to refine and improve it — also the shining substance itself.
Common mistake
Capitalized "Polish" (relating to Poland or its language) is unrelated in meaning, though spelled and pronounced differently ("POH-lish" vs "PAH-lish").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
nail polish
shoe polish
polish a draft
polish off
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Word forms
- Plural
- polishes
- Third person singular
- polishes
- Past tense
- polished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ his shoes before the interview.
Etymology
From Latin politus, "made smooth," the past participle of polire, "to polish."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Polish
See all rhymes for Polish →Frequently asked questions
What does “Polish” mean?
The word “Polish” means to rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny. In plain terms, to make something shiny and smooth by rubbing, or to refine and improve it — also the shining substance itself.
How do you pronounce “Polish”?
“Polish” is pronounced POH-lihsh (/ˈpoʊlɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Polish” in a sentence?
Here is “Polish” used in a sentence: “He polished his shoes before the interview.”
What is another word for “Polish”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Polish” include hone, perfect and refine.
What part of speech is “Polish”?
Depending on how it is used, “Polish” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “Polish” come from?
The word “Polish” comes from Latin. From Latin politus, "made smooth," the past participle of polire, "to polish.".
Is “Polish” a common word?
“Polish” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “Polish” have?
“Polish” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny.
What is the difference between "polish" (lowercase) and "Polish" (capital P)?
Written with a small "p," "polish" is a verb meaning to rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny, or to improve something. Written with a capital "P," "Polish" is an adjective relating to Poland, its people, or its language. They are also pronounced differently, so context and capitalisation matter.
What is the difference between "polish" and "clean"?
To clean something is to remove dirt, dust, or stains from it. To polish is to rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny, usually after it is already clean. You clean shoes to remove mud, then polish them to make them shine.
What is the difference between "polish" and "buff"?
Both make a surface shiny, and they overlap closely. "Polish" is the broader term for rubbing something smooth and bright, often with a product like wax or polish. "Buff" usually means to polish with a soft cloth or pad, often as the final shining step.
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