adjective
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artful or shrewd; ingenious
a politic manager
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crafty or unscrupulous; cunning
a politic old scoundrel
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sagacious, wise, or prudent, esp in statesmanship
a politic choice
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an archaic word for political
Related Words
See diplomatic.
Other Word Forms
- overpolitic adjective
- politicly adverb
- prepolitic adjective
- pseudopolitic adjective
- quasi-politic adjective
Etymology
Origin of politic
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English politik, from Middle French politique, from Latin polīticus, from Greek polītikós “civic,” from polī́t(ēs) “citizen” ( polity ) + -ikos -ic
Explanation
If you are politic, you are smooth and diplomatic. You'd probably make a good politician. Being politic is being polite and agreeable. Screaming and yelling is not politic. Speaking quietly, making apologies, and giving compliments are all politic things to do. When you want something, being politic is the way to go. It can definitely help to remember that politicians are good at getting what they want — they are shrewd and very politic.
Vocabulary lists containing politic
Grade 9, List 4
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The Mayflower Compact (1620)
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Much Ado About Nothing
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was the most extreme expression of a wound to the body politic that has been allowed to fester.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025
What hope of freedom was there unless Black Americans were accepted as full members of the body politic?
From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025
But political strategist and pollster Chris Bruni‑Lowe, who has written a book on the history of politic slogans, would advise against using Arise as the new party's name.
From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025
We are affirmed in the knowledge that we are the body politic.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2025
I maintain that one reaches this princedom either with the favour of the common people or with that of the nobility, since these two different humours are found in every body politic.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
