adjective
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artful or shrewd; ingenious
a politic manager
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crafty or unscrupulous; cunning
a politic old scoundrel
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sagacious, wise, or prudent, esp in statesmanship
a politic choice
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an archaic word for political
Synonym Usage
See diplomatic.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of politic
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English politik, from Middle French politique, from Latin polīticus, from Greek polītikós “civic,” from polī́t(ēs) “citizen” ( see polity) + -ikos -ic
Explanation
If you are politic, you are smooth and diplomatic. You'd probably make a good politician. Being politic is being polite and agreeable. Screaming and yelling is not politic. Speaking quietly, making apologies, and giving compliments are all politic things to do. When you want something, being politic is the way to go. It can definitely help to remember that politicians are good at getting what they want — they are shrewd and very politic.
Vocabulary lists containing politic
Grade 9, List 4
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The Mayflower Compact (1620)
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Much Ado About Nothing
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We stand, after all, in addictive awe of powerful new realities proposed by the politic, media and advancement of technology.
From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026
Many executives also cultivate friendships with elected officials to have "privileged channels" with public administrations, said Charles Thibout, a politic science professor at the Sciences Po Strasbourg university in eastern France.
From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026
It was the most extreme expression of a wound to the body politic that has been allowed to fester.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025
What hope of freedom was there unless Black Americans were accepted as full members of the body politic?
From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025
When he did find the proper courage, the office manager intended to approach Mr. Reilly in a most politic manner about the amount of time he was spending in the factory.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
