pol·ish (p l sh)v. pol·ished, pol·ish·ing, pol·ish·es v.tr.1. To make smooth and shiny by rubbing or chemical action. 2. To remove the outer layers from (grains of rice) by rotation in drums. 3. To free from coarseness; refine: polish one's manners. 4. To remove flaws from; perfect or complete: polish one's piano technique; polish up the lyrics. v.intr.1. To become smooth or shiny by or as if by being rubbed. 2. To become perfect or refined. n.1. Smoothness or shininess of surface or finish. 2. A substance containing chemical agents or abrasive particles and applied to smooth or shine a surface: shoe polish. 3. The act or process of polishing. 4. Elegance of style or manners; refinement. Phrasal Verb: polish off Informal To finish or dispose of quickly and easily.
[Middle English polisshen, from Old French polir, poliss-, from Latin pol re; see pel-5 in Indo-European roots.]
pol ish·er n. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | polishing - the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it; "the shining of shoes provided a meager living"; "every Sunday he gave his car a good polishing"work - activity directed toward making or doing something; "she checked several points needing further work" shoeshine - the act of shining shoes; "he charged a dollar for a shoeshine" |