# politic

/ˈpɑɫəˌtɪk/ (US) · /pˈɒlətˌɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/politic
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. wise and strategic

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes a decision or action that is wise because it helps you get what you want or avoids trouble.

For teachers: characterised by shrewdness and strategic expediency; showing good judgment in the pursuit of a specific goal.

- He thought it was politic to keep his opinions to himself during the meeting.
- The CEO decided it would be politic to consult the board members individually before making the official announcement to the press.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies or after a linking verb like 'be'.

### 2. diplomatic

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

being careful and clever when dealing with people so you do not offend them.

For teachers: demonstrating discretion and diplomatic tact in social or professional interactions.

- A politic answer helped her avoid a long argument with her boss.
- Her politic handling of the dispute ensured that both departments felt their concerns had been addressed without further escalation.

### 3. relating to government

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

an old-fashioned way to describe things related to the government or the state.

For teachers: relating to the state, government, or the body politic; largely superseded by 'political' in modern contexts.

- The phrase 'body politic' refers to all the people of a nation together.
- The treatise explored the health of the body politic, comparing the functions of the state to the organs of a human body.

Teaching tip: In modern English, this sense is almost exclusively found in the fixed phrase 'body politic'.

### 4. to campaign

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to talk to people and try to get support for your ideas or to win an election.

For teachers: to engage in political activity, campaigning, or discussion to gain support or influence.

- The candidates spent the whole weekend politicking at the local fair.
- After months of politicking behind the scenes, the senator finally secured enough votes to pass the controversial amendment.

Usage: Often spelled 'politick' to preserve the hard 'k' sound in inflected forms like 'politicking'.

## Examples

- He was a very politic man who knew how to please everyone.
- The diplomat was known for his politic approach to negotiations, always choosing words that would keep both sides satisfied.
- In the cutthroat world of corporate politics, a politic leader must balance the demands of the board with the needs of the rank-and-file employees to maintain stability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.