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
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
Noah Perkins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Unlike ultra-wide, frumpy, or super skinny styles, Lakshmi’s jeans are comfortable enough for daytime explorations yet polished enough to wear to dinner and cocktails.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 31 July 2025
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025
The interiors blend international polish with regional craftsmanship, pairing Austrian fabrics and restored antiques with discreet contemporary touches.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2025
Over dinner, hosts talked about taking the teens to various attractions and restaurants, hoping to give them a taste of Chicago staples such as Italian beef, Maxwell Street Polish sausage, Vienna Beef hot dogs, and deep dish and tavern cut thin crust pizzas.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
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
Many Point Loma sailors are spending the short offseason competing with club teams to polish their skills.
—Noah Perkins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Unlike ultra-wide, frumpy, or super skinny styles, Lakshmi’s jeans are comfortable enough for daytime explorations yet polished enough to wear to dinner and cocktails.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
Great for exploring city streets or hopping between museums, this one brings polish to any travel itinerary.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025
The interiors blend international polish with regional craftsmanship, pairing Austrian fabrics and restored antiques with discreet contemporary touches.
—Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Eclectic local cuisine draws from Southern soul food, coastal working-class creations, and influences from Polish immigrants.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2025
Over dinner, hosts talked about taking the teens to various attractions and restaurants, hoping to give them a taste of Chicago staples such as Italian beef, Maxwell Street Polish sausage, Vienna Beef hot dogs, and deep dish and tavern cut thin crust pizzas.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for polish
Cite this Entry
“Polish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polish. Accessed 7 Aug. 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