polished

adjective

pol·​ished ˈpä-lisht 

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

Synonyms

• buffed
• burnished
• glistening
• glossy
• lustrous
• rubbed
• satin
• satiny
• sleek

Examples of polished in a Sentence

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

The menu features polished but traditional Turkish dishes and the chef sources the best seafood and produce locally, keeping the selections seasonal. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 13 May 2025

Enter Wolf, who by all accounts is more polished offensively at 21 than Bassey and Biyombo (a good argument for Mamu, too). —The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 13 May 2025

With a sky-high basketball I.Q. and an incredibly polished all-around game, Flagg has the makings of a future NBA star. —Brian Sampson, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

This style offers a cleaner, more elevated appearance and is often chosen to wear with sport coats for occasions that call for a polished but modern look. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 10 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English polisshed, from past participle of polisshen to polish

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polished

• abolished
• demolished
• unpolished