polished

[ pol-isht ]

adjective

1. made smooth and glossy:

   a figurine of polished mahogany.

2. naturally smooth and glossy:

   polished pebbles on the beach.

3. refined, cultured, or elegant:

   a polished manner.

4. flawless; skillful; excellent:

   a polished conversationalist.

polished

/ ˈpɒlɪʃt /

adjective

1. accomplished

   a polished actor

2. impeccably or professionally done

   a polished performance

3. (of rice) having had the outer husk removed by milling

Other Words From

• un·polished adjective
• well-polished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polished¹

First recorded in 1325–75, polished is from the Middle English word polist. See polish, -ed ²

Example Sentences

He is very blond and buffed — not buff but, like sanded and polished.

From Los Angeles Times

But any glimmer of hope for a Pegula comeback was extinguished as she double-faulted to give her opponent the break back, after which Krejcikova - whose performance was far from polished - coasted to a straightforward victory with a solitary break point her only hurdle.

From BBC

Zehme had about three-quarters of the book written and polished; Thomas used Zehme’s research and reporting to finish it.

From Los Angeles Times

The album was not just the fulfilment of Jackson's talent, but the culmination of Jones's career, as he used his peerless musical expertise to define the 1980s with a sleek and polished fusion of R&B and pop.

From BBC

But on stage, he delivered polished, emotionally intelligent, 90-second answers on command.

From Salon

Related Words

• bright
• burnished
• glistening
• refined
• shiny
• smooth
• urbane