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

From Salon

While legacy media has long claimed that audiences have short attention spans or prefer polished, high-quality broadcasts, millions of people are tuning into lengthy, low-production podcasts on niche topics.

From Salon

“He refuses to be the kind of politician that has a polished stump speech everywhere they go,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Salmond modernised and professionalised the SNP, ensuring its machinery was overhauled and its message was polished until it glinted like granite in the sun.

From BBC

Related Words

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