polished
Americanadjective
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made smooth and glossy.
a figurine of polished mahogany.
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naturally smooth and glossy.
polished pebbles on the beach.
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refined, cultured, or elegant.
a polished manner.
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flawless; skillful; excellent.
a polished conversationalist.
adjective
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accomplished
a polished actor
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impeccably or professionally done
a polished performance
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(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
Speaking to BBC Sport last year, Boylan described Riley as a "different animal" and "already a polished athlete", whereas "Paddy and Conor were still on their way up" while in Cage Warriors.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
The ingots are cut into wafers with a wire saw, which move through multiple machines to be polished, tested and boxed up so they can be sent to the next stage of the supply chain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
The dragon’s back was broad as a dozen grand pianos, and as polished; it was slippery, and hard to know where to put his feet.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
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.
