adj
Uncommon
politic
POL-ih-tihk
Politic (adj) means Shrewd and careful in dealing with people or situations; diplomatic. Example: “It seemed more politic to stay quiet during the meeting.”
adj
1
Shrewd and careful in dealing with people or situations; diplomatic.
"It seemed more politic to stay quiet during the meeting."
2
Relating to civil government or policy.
"The body politic refers to a nation viewed as a single organized group."
How to use politic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShrewd and tactful, or relating to government and public affairs.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "politic" (an adjective meaning tactful/prudent) with "political," which is the far more common word for anything relating to politics.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
not politic to
the body politic
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Word forms
- Plural
- politics
- Comparative
- more politic
- Superlative
- most politic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It seemed more _____ to stay quiet during the meeting.
Etymology
From Latin politicus, from Greek politikos, "of citizens," from polites, "citizen."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for politic
See all rhymes for politic →Frequently asked questions
What does “politic” mean?
The word “politic” means shrewd and careful in dealing with people or situations; diplomatic. In plain terms, shrewd and tactful, or relating to government and public affairs.
How do you pronounce “politic”?
“Politic” is pronounced POL-ih-tihk (/ˈpɑ.lɪ.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “politic” in a sentence?
Here is “politic” used in a sentence: “It seemed more politic to stay quiet during the meeting.”
What is the opposite of “politic”?
The opposite of “politic” — its antonyms — is impolitic.
What part of speech is “politic”?
“Politic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “politic” come from?
The word “politic” comes from Latin. From Latin politicus, from Greek politikos, "of citizens," from polites, "citizen.".
Is “politic” a common word?
“Politic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “politic” have?
“Politic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shrewd and careful in dealing with people or situations; diplomatic.
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