polish
- 01 A2 Elementary
v.to rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny.
v.to make a surface smooth and glossy by friction, typically by rubbing with a cloth or abrasive.
Simple“He spent the morning polishing his shoes until he could see his face in them.”
In context“The silversmith carefully polished the antique tray, removing decades of tarnish to reveal the intricate engravings beneath.”
UsageOften used with 'up' to mean a quick or final cleaning.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to improve something by making small changes or practicing.
v.to refine or improve a piece of work or a skill by removing minor flaws.
Simple“She needs to polish her presentation before the big meeting on Tuesday.”
In context“The author spent several weeks polishing the final chapters of the manuscript to ensure the pacing was consistent throughout.”
UsageFrequently appears in the phrasal verb 'polish up'.
- 03 A2 Elementary
n.a liquid, cream, or wax used to make things shine.
n.a substance containing wax or abrasives used to produce a shiny surface on wood, metal, or leather.
Simple“I need to buy some furniture polish for the wooden dining table.”
In context“The janitor applied a high-grade floor polish that left the hallway with a mirror-like finish.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.a high quality of style or professional skill.
n.refinement or elegance in style, performance, or social behavior.
Simple“The young pianist played with great technical skill but lacked professional polish.”
In context“Despite his humble beginnings, the diplomat spoke with a level of polish that suggested years of elite education.”
SynonymsAntonymsclumsinessroughness - 05 A1 Beginner
adj.relating to the country of Poland, its people, or its language.
adj.relating to Poland, its inhabitants, or the West Slavic language spoken there.
Simple“We went to a great Polish restaurant that served traditional dumplings.”
In context“The museum is hosting an exhibition of Polish posters from the mid-twentieth century.”
Teacher's tipRemind students that this sense is pronounced with a long 'o' (/poʊlɪʃ/), unlike the verb 'polish' (/pɒlɪʃ/).
- 06 A1 Beginner
n.the language spoken in Poland.
n.the West Slavic language that is the official language of Poland.
Simple“He is learning Polish because his wife's family lives in Warsaw.”
In context“The document was originally written in Polish and required a certified translator for the legal proceedings.”
From Pole + -ish. Doublet of Poylish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.