polished
Americanadjective
-
made smooth and glossy.
a figurine of polished mahogany.
-
naturally smooth and glossy.
polished pebbles on the beach.
-
refined, cultured, or elegant.
a polished manner.
-
flawless; skillful; excellent.
a polished conversationalist.
adjective
-
accomplished
a polished actor
-
impeccably or professionally done
a polished performance
-
(of rice) having had the outer husk removed by milling
Other Word Forms
- unpolished adjective
- well-polished adjective
Etymology
Origin of polished
First recorded in 1325–75, polished is from the Middle English word polist. See polish, -ed 2
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.
Bees, however, often coat their nests with a waxy secretion that creates a waterproof, polished interior.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
The polished red granite-clad building north of L.A.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Left with no idea how to wrap itself up, “Undertone” throws every one of those horror tropes under a hydraulic press, shoving them together, hoping that the result will be prettier than just polished garbage.
From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026
“When you’re an analyst or an associate, you want to look clean, sharp and polished, but conspicuous branding should be avoided.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026
The servants would stay until the very last spoon was polished and put away.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
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.
