polish

A substance you put on a surface to make it smooth and shiny.

• I need some shoe polish.
• She applied polish to the wooden table.
• Which polish should I use on this floor?

Similar words: wax

Common phrases: shoe polish, furniture polish, apply polish

The smooth, confident quality of something done carefully and skillfully.

• Her speech had real polish.
• The presentation needs a little more polish.
• His latest performance showed greater polish and confidence.

Similar words: refinement, sophistication

Common phrases: professional polish, extra polish, polish and confidence

A smooth, shiny appearance on a clean surface.

• The floor has a beautiful polish.
• He rubbed the silver to a high polish.
• Years of use had worn away the table’s polish.

Similar words: shine, gloss

Common phrases: high polish, mirror polish, polish on something

To rub or clean a surface until it becomes smooth and shiny.

• Please polish your shoes.
• She polished the silver until it shone.
• The floor was polished before the guests arrived.

How to use it: polish something with something (Polish the table with a soft cloth.)

Similar words: shine, buff

Common phrases: polish shoes, polish the silver, polish with something

To improve something by making small changes and removing mistakes.

• I need to polish my speech.
• The team polished its performance through practice.
• She has been polishing the final chapter all week.

Similar words: refine, perfect

Common phrases: polish a draft, polish skills, polish a performance

To become smooth and shiny when rubbed or treated.

• This steel polishes well.
• The stone polished to a fine shine.
• Soft metals often polish more easily than hard ones.

Common phrases: polish well, polish easily