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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Blow dry your hair upside down and add a bit of a loose wave for a less polished look. Felicity Carter, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Daisy Edgar-Jones’ style file consists of contemporary boho looks via Chloé’s ruffles upon ruffles, polished downtown cool girl fits by way of Magda Butrym and Our Legacy, and red carpet bangers courtesy of Victoria Beckham, 16Arlington, and Givenchy. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025 In short, Android alternatives always offer better hardware for the money — the user experience just isn’t as polished. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 Even the more historically renegade young designers sent out more polished messages. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polished

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of polished was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Polished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polished. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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