# politician

/ˌpɑɫəˈtɪʃən/ (US) · /pˌɒlɪtˈɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/politician
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. government official

noun · CEFR B1

a person whose job is in politics, especially someone who has been elected to a government position.

For teachers: an individual professionally engaged in politics, specifically one who holds or seeks an elected or appointed office in government.

- The local politician promised to build a new park if she won the election.
- The veteran politician spent the afternoon canvassing in the suburbs, hoping to secure the swing votes necessary for a narrow victory.

### 2. a person skilled at social maneuvering

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

someone who is very good at using their influence or acting in a clever way to get what they want at work.

For teachers: a person who acts in a manipulative or crafty manner to gain advantage within an organisation or social group.

- He is quite a politician in the office and always knows who to talk to for a promotion.
- To survive in the corporate headquarters, one must be something of a politician, navigating the complex web of internal alliances and rivalries.

Usage: Often used with a negative or cynical tone to imply the person is insincere.

## Examples

- The local politician promised to build a new park.
- Every four years, each politician travels across the country to meet voters and discuss their plans for the future.
- While the young politician campaigned on a platform of radical transparency, the realities of legislative compromise soon forced a more pragmatic approach to governance.

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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.