noun

Polonius

Polonius (noun) means a meddling person who gives long-winded, ultimately poor advice. Example: “The new manager was a real polonius, forever interrupting meetings with pointless platitudes.”

noun

A meddling person who gives long-winded, ultimately poor advice.

"The new manager was a real polonius, forever interrupting meetings with pointless platitudes."

How to use Polonius

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA windy busybody who thinks he's wise but mostly just gets in the way.

When to use it

Literary and rare outside discussions of Shakespeare or very formal writing.

Word forms

Poloniuses plural

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The new manager was a real _____, forever interrupting meetings with pointless platitudes.

Etymology

From Polonius, the long-winded, interfering courtier in Shakespeare's "Hamlet."

Rhymes for Polonius

radius genius Julius Darius Marius Sirius Lucius Mobius Celsius Cassius Flavius Aquarius

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Polonius” mean?

The word “Polonius” means a meddling person who gives long-winded, ultimately poor advice. In plain terms, a windy busybody who thinks he's wise but mostly just gets in the way.

How do you use “Polonius” in a sentence?

Here is “Polonius” used in a sentence: “The new manager was a real polonius, forever interrupting meetings with pointless platitudes.”

What part of speech is “Polonius”?

“Polonius” is a noun.

What is the meaning of Polonius?

"Polonius" (noun) means a meddling person who gives long-winded, ultimately poor advice.