Polish Definition

Polish
adj

1. Belonging or relating to Poland, a republic in Central Europe, its inhabitants, or their language.

noun

1. The official language of Poland. See also Pole.

Etymology: 17c.

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polish
verb polishes, polished, polishing

tr & intr
1. To make or become smooth and glossy by rubbing

Example: polishing my shoes.
Thesaurus: wax, buff, burnish, rub, shine, finish, brighten, clean, furbish, slick, touch up, lustre, file; Antonym: dull, tarnish.
2. To improve or perfect.

Example: She tried to polish her communication skills before the interview
Thesaurus: cultivate, improve, refine, perfect, brush up, enhance.
tr & intr
3. To make cultivated, refined or elegant.

Example: Henrietta polished her vowels before the speech day

noun polishes

1. A substance used for polishing surfaces. Also in compounds.

Example: boot polish
2. A smooth shiny finish; a gloss

Example: Look at the polish on the sideboard!
Thesaurus: gloss, glaze, veneer, sheen, lustre, varnish, finish, sparkle, brightness, brilliance; Antonym: dullness.
3. An act of polishing.
4. Refinement or elegance.

Thesaurus: cultivation, sophistication, style, breeding, grace, urbanity, class, refinement, elegance, politesse, savoir-faire, suavity, expertise, proficiency, perfectionism; Antonym: clumsiness, gaucherie.

Derivative: polisher
noun

A person, device or machine that polishes.

Etymology: 13c: from French polir, from Latin polire.

Phrasal Verb: polish off something or polish something off

To finish it quickly and completely, especially speedily.
Example: Iain polished off the sausage rolls without any trouble
Example: Matt polished his essay off, before playing frisbee

Phrasal Verb: polish up something or polish something up

To work up a shine on it by polishing.To improve a skill by practising it.
Example: Joe polished up his guitar-playing before the audition