polished

adjective

pol·​ished ˈpä-lisht 

1

: subjected to polishing : made smooth and glossy by or as if by polishing

a polished surface

polished silver

2

: characterized by a high degree of development, finish, or refinement : free from imperfections

a polished performance/performer

a highly polished piece of writing

3

somewhat old-fashioned : characterized by elegance and refinement

a polished gentleman

polished society

Synonyms of polished

• sleek
• glossy
• glistening
• satin

Examples of polished in a Sentence

she could see her face reflected in the polished hood of the car

showing the polished manners of a cosmopolitan woman

Recent Examples on the Web

Magnific’s pre-production tools, for example, let users create assets like images of characters, props, and scenery to create a polished AI video that’s consistent with the storyline. —Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

No capsule wardrobe is complete without a cute jumpsuit, and this one from Prettygarden feels polished and timeless. —Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026

For presentation, wrap the finished candle in tissue paper inside a small kraft box for a polished, gift-ready look. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Finding something polished yet modern can feel like a puzzle. —Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English polisshed, from past participle of polisshen to polish

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for polished

• abolished
• demolished
• unpolished