Origin of polish
1250–1300; Middle English
polishen < Middle French
poliss-, long stem of
polir < Latin
polīre to polish; see
-ish2
SYNONYMS FOR polish
8
shine,
gleam.
Polish,
gloss,
luster,
sheen refer to a smooth, shining, or bright surface from which light is reflected.
Polish suggests the smooth, bright reflection often produced by friction:
rubbed to a high polish.
Gloss suggests a superficial, hard smoothness characteristic of lacquered, varnished, or enameled surfaces:
a gloss on oilcloth, on paper.
Luster denotes the characteristic quality of the light reflected from the surfaces of certain materials (pearls, silk, wax, freshly cut metals, etc.):
a pearly luster.
Sheen, sometimes poetical, suggests a glistening brightness such as that reflected from the surface of silk or velvet, or from furniture oiled and hand-polished:
a rich velvety sheen.
OTHER WORDS FROM polish
Words nearby polish
British Dictionary definitions for polish off (1 of 3)
polish off
verb (tr, adverb) informal
to finish or process completely
to dispose of or kill; eliminate
British Dictionary definitions for polish off (2 of 3)
polish
/ (ˈpɒlɪʃ) /
verb
to make or become smooth and shiny by rubbing, esp with wax or an abrasive
(tr)
to make perfect or complete
to make or become elegant or refined
noun
See also
polish off,
polish up
Derived forms of polish
polishable, adjective polisher, nounWord Origin for polish
C13
polis, from Old French
polir, from Latin
polīre to polish
British Dictionary definitions for polish off (3 of 3)
Polish
/ (ˈpəʊlɪʃ) /
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, its people, or their language
noun
the official language of Poland, belonging to the West Slavonic branch of the Indo-European family
Idioms and Phrases with polish off (1 of 2)
polish off
Finish or dispose of, especially quickly and easily. For example, We polished off the pie in no time, or If everyone helps, we can polish off this job today. This usage, dating from the early 1800s, came from boxing, where it originally meant “to defeat an opponent quickly and easily.” By the 1830s it was used more generally.
Idioms and Phrases with polish off (2 of 2)
polish