polish
polish Lexical Profile
polish Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A chemical substance, paste, or liquid rubbed onto an object's surface to make it smooth and shiny.
"She applied a thin coat of beeswax polish to protect the antique oak table."
The West Slavic language spoken primarily in Poland (properly capitalized as 'Polish').
"He spent two years in Krakow studying Polish and Central European history."
An act of rubbing a surface to make it shine, or the glossy smoothness produced by such rubbing.
"A quick polish with a microfiber cloth restored the silverware's original brilliance."
Refinement, elegance, or high quality in manners, style, or artistic execution.
"Although the orchestra played with enthusiasm, their performance still lacked professional polish."
• verb
To make the surface of something smooth and shiny by rubbing it, often with a cloth and a chemical paste or wax.
"He took time every Sunday evening to polish his leather dress shoes for the week ahead."
To improve, refine, or perfect a piece of writing, skill, or performance by making small corrections or adjustments.
"The author spent the final month before publication working to polish the manuscript's dialogue."
• adjective
Relating to Poland, its inhabitants, their culture, or the Polish language (properly capitalized as 'Polish').
"The festival celebrated traditional Polish folk music and regional cuisine."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Polish' is a capitonym: in lowercase ('polish'), it is pronounced /ˈpɒlɪʃ/ and refers to smoothing a surface or the substance used to do so; when capitalized ('Polish'), it is pronounced /ˈpoʊlɪʃ/ and relates to Poland, its people, or its language.
• Rhymes for polish
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The general noun and verb 'polish' derive from Middle English 'polisshen', borrowed from Old French 'poliss-' (stem of 'polir'), from Latin 'polire' meaning 'to make smooth, shine, or refine'. The proper noun and adjective 'Polish' derive from 'Pole' (an inhabitant of Poland, from Polish 'Polanie' meaning 'field dwellers') plus the Germanic suffix '-ish'.