polished; polishing; polishes
1
: to make smooth and glossy usually by friction : burnish
2
: to smooth, soften, or refine in manners or condition
3
: to bring to a highly developed, finished, or refined state : perfect
: to become smooth or glossy by or as if by friction
polisher
noun
1
2
: the action or process of polishing
3
: a preparation that is used to produce a gloss and often a color for the protection and decoration of a surface
furniture polish
nail polish
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, the Poles, or Polish
: the Slavic language of the Poles
Synonyms
Examples of polish in a Sentence
Verb
He spent the summer polishing his math skills.
you'll need to polish your shoes with a clean rag before the performance
Noun (1)
I need more shoe polish.
Did you use a wax polish on the table or an oil-based one?
The movie has the polish we've come to expect from that director.
He's rude and lacks polish.
Recent Examples on the Web
Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2024
Those vying for a vacant Seattle City Council seat have only a few weeks to polish their resumes.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
Paul Caputo, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
There are still questions at quarterback, where Jayden Maiava has tons of big-play potential, but not nearly enough polish yet to fully elevate USC’s offense.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 31 Dec. 2024
This story has been updated Monday December 30 with confirmation of Polish anti-doping’s decision not to appeal.
—James Hansen, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polish 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The spa menu also includes hydrating and anti-aging facials, as well as body treatments such as a luxurious pinotage and lime salt glow, a face and body glow experience, and coffee or salt body polishes.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2024
Those vying for a vacant Seattle City Council seat have only a few weeks to polish their resumes.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
Starting with a chef’s table experience, and continuing through a three hour tasting menu, Capel’s French, Asian and Irish influences are narrated with confidence and polish.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
There are still questions at quarterback, where Jayden Maiava has tons of big-play potential, but not nearly enough polish yet to fully elevate USC’s offense.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Poland, for example, has stated its willingness to shoot down Russian missiles and drones that get near Polish territory and to defend certain parts of Ukrainian airspace to create safe zones in western sections of the country.
—Alina Polyakova, Foreign Affairs, 31 Dec. 2024
This story has been updated Monday December 30 with confirmation of Polish anti-doping’s decision not to appeal.
—James Hansen, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polish
Dictionary Entries Near polish
Cite this Entry
“Polish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polish. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polish
1 of 4 verb
pol·ish
ˈpäl-ish 
1
: to make smooth and glossy usually by rubbing
2
: to smooth or improve in manners, condition, or style
3
: to bring to a highly developed or finished state
polish a technique
polisher
noun
polish
2 of 4 noun1
a
: a smooth glossy surface : luster
b
: good manners : refinement
2
: the action or process of polishing
3
: a substance prepared for use in polishing
shoe polish
nail polish
Polish
3 of 4 adjective
Pol·ish
ˈpō-lish
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, the Poles, or Polish
Polish
4 of 4 noun
: the Slavic language of the Poles
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share