polished

1 of 2

adjective

pol·​ished ˈpä-lisht How to pronounce polished (audio)
Synonyms of polished
1
: subjected to polishing : made smooth and glossy by or as if by polishing
a polished surface
polished silver
2
: characterized by a high degree of development, finish, or refinement : free from imperfections
a polished performance/performer
a highly polished piece of writing
3
somewhat old-fashioned : characterized by elegance and refinement
a polished gentleman
polished society

polished

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of polish entry 1

Synonyms of polished

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Adjective

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Examples of polished in a Sentence

Adjective she could see her face reflected in the polished hood of the car showing the polished manners of a cosmopolitan woman
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Crafted from mirror-polished stainless steel, the reflective surface was made to display a pair of crisp martinis or a selection of decadent desserts. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026 By late afternoon, the polished arrival photos have usually given way to a more lived-in version of the look. — Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 My favorite polished look is still very comfortable and includes a pair of slacks, a knit blazer, and simple ballet flats. — Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026 Your skin still looks like skin, just a little more polished. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polished

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English polisshed, from past participle of polisshen to polish

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of polished was in the 14th century

Rhymes for polished

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Browse Nearby Words

Polish Corridor
polished
polished rice
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Cite this Entry

“Polished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polished. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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