Word Noun
polishing
n.
uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈpɑɫɪʃɪŋ/ UK /pˈɒlɪʃɪŋ/ pol·ish·ing UK spelling polishings
Definition
n.the act of rubbing a surface to make it smooth and shiny. It can also mean the process of improving something to make it perfect.
n.the process of smoothing or shining a surface by friction; figuratively, the refinement of a piece of work to remove minor flaws.
Examples
“The silver needs a good polishing before the party.”
“After finishing the first draft of her essay, she spent several hours on the final polishing of the prose.”
“The master craftsman insisted that the final polishing of the mahogany table be done by hand to ensure a mirror-like finish without any visible swirl marks.”
Usage
Often used in the gerund form to describe the act of refinement; frequently paired with 'of' to indicate the object being improved.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated