Word
polish
Phoneticspol·ish, stress on the first syllable
/ˈpɑɫɪʃ/
Definitions
01to make shiny
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.
“He spent the morning polishing his shoes until he could see his face in them.”
“The silversmith carefully polished the antique tray, removing decades of tarnish to reveal the intricate engravings beneath.”
Usage
Often used with 'up' to mean a quick or final cleaning.
Antonyms
02to improve a skill
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.
“She needs to polish her presentation before the big meeting on Tuesday.”
“The author spent several weeks polishing the final chapters of the manuscript to ensure the pacing was consistent throughout.”
Usage
Frequently appears in the phrasal verb 'polish up'.
03cleaning substance
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
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.
“I need to buy some furniture polish for the wooden dining table.”
“The janitor applied a high-grade floor polish that left the hallway with a mirror-like finish.”
04style and elegance
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. a high quality of style or professional skill.
n. refinement or elegance in style, performance, or social behavior.
“The young pianist played with great technical skill but lacked professional polish.”
“Despite his humble beginnings, the diplomat spoke with a level of polish that suggested years of elite education.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
05from Poland
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.
“We went to a great Polish restaurant that served traditional dumplings.”
“The museum is hosting an exhibition of Polish posters from the mid-twentieth century.”
Teaching tip
Remind students that this sense is pronounced with a long 'o' (/poʊlɪʃ/), unlike the verb 'polish' (/pɒlɪʃ/).
06the language
A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun
n. the language spoken in Poland.
n. the West Slavic language that is the official language of Poland.
Español:polaco
“He is learning Polish because his wife's family lives in Warsaw.”
“The document was originally written in Polish and required a certified translator for the legal proceedings.”
Etymology
From Pole + -ish. Doublet of Poylish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/polish
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0