WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pol•ish /ˈpɑlɪʃ/USA pronunciation
v.
n.
Po•lish /ˈpoʊlɪʃ/USA pronunciation adj.of or relating to the language spoken in Poland.
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to make smooth, shiny, and glossy, esp. by rubbing:[~ + object]She polished her shoes.
- to make (something) complete, perfect, or elegant:[~ + object]She stayed up late to polish her speech.
- polish off, to finish or dispose of quickly: [~ + off + object]to polish off a gallon of ice cream.[~ + object + off]The ice cream? They polished it off last night.
- polish up, to improve;
make perfect;
refine: [~ + up + object]to polish up his French.[~ + object + up]to polish his Italian up by visiting Florence.
n.
- a substance used to give smoothness or gloss: [uncountable]shoe polish.[countable]the polishes and waxes.
- the act of polishing:[countable]She gave the silver a good polish.
- [uncountable] smoothness of a surface.
- perfection;
refinement;
elegance:[uncountable]He behaves with such polish and good manners.
Po•lish /ˈpoʊlɪʃ/USA pronunciation adj.
- of or relating to Poland.
n. [uncountable]
- the language spoken in Poland.
pol•ish
(pol′ish),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
n.
pol′ish•er, n.
Po•lish (pō′lish),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
- to make smooth and glossy, esp. by rubbing or friction:to polish a brass doorknob.
- to render finished, refined, or elegant:His speech needs polishing.
v.i.
- to become smooth and glossy through polishing:a flooring that polishes easily.
- [Archaic.]to become refined or elegant.
- polish off, [Informal.]
- to finish or dispose of quickly:They polished off a gallon of ice cream between them.
- to subdue or get rid of someone:The fighter polished off his opponent in the first round.
- polish up, to improve;
refine:She took lessons to polish up her speech.
n.
- a substance used to give smoothness or gloss:shoe polish.
- the act of polishing.
- state of being polished.
- smoothness and gloss of surface.
- superiority of manner or execution;
refinement;
elegance:the polish of a professional singer.
- Latin polīre to polish; see -ish2
- Middle French poliss-, long stem of polir
- Middle English polishen 1250–1300
- 1. shine, brighten, burnish, buff, smooth. 10. shine, gleam. Polish, gloss, luster, sheen refer to a smooth, shining, or bright surface from which light is reflected. Polish suggests the smooth, bright reflection often produced by friction:rubbed to a high polish.Gloss suggests a superficial, hard smoothness characteristic of lacquered, varnished, or enameled surfaces:a gloss on oilcloth, on paper.Luster denotes the characteristic quality of the light reflected from the surfaces of certain materials (pearls, silk, wax, freshly cut metals, etc.):a pearly luster.Sheen, sometimes poetical, suggests a glistening brightness such as that reflected from the surface of silk or velvet, or from furniture oiled and hand-polished:a rich velvety sheen.
Po•lish (pō′lish),USA pronunciation adj.
- Language Varieties, Place Namesof, pertaining to, or characteristic of Poland, its inhabitants, or their language.
n.
- Language Varietiesa Slavic language, the principal language of Poland. Abbr.: Pol
- Pole + -ish1 1695–1705