politico

¹ American  

[puh-lit-i-koh] / pəˈlɪt ɪˌkoʊ /

noun

plural

politicos

1. a politician.

---

politico- ² American  

1. a combining form representing political in compound words.

   politico-religious.

---

politico- ¹ British  

combining form

1. denoting political or politics

   politicoeconomic

---

politico ² British  

/ pəˈlɪtɪˌkəʊ /

noun

1. an informal word for a politician politician

---

Usage

What does politico mean? Politico is an informal word for a politician—a person who holds or is seeking political office as an elected government official. Like the word politician, politico is most commonly used in the context of politicians campaigning, giving speeches, and promoting themselves, as opposed to the activities that they do as part of being a government official—voting, debating issues, and working to find solutions to problems (in which case a politician might be called a representative or officeholder—or a legislator or lawmaker, if they work in a lawmaking capacity). Politico is especially used to refer to a long-term politician who’s experienced in making political deals or exchanging political favors. For that reason, it’s often used in a negative way, such as to refer to politicians who are considered members of the establishment. The informal term pol can be used to mean the same thing. Example: We should be focusing on real issues instead of listening to endless rhetoric from politicos and pundits.

Etymology

Origin of politico

1620–30; < Italian or Spanish

Explanation

Someone who's involved in politics can be called a politico. If you're managing your friend's campaign for school president while simultaneously running for school treasurer, you're a bit of a politico. Politico is basically an informal way to say "politician," although the term also includes people who follow politics or act behind the scenes in the political arena. It's often used in a fairly negative way: "Those politicos will use any dirty tricks to get their guy elected." Politico is originally a Spanish word meaning "political."

Example Sentences

Paul Weyrich, a Catholic and Republican politico, approached evangelical minister Jerry Falwell about creating a new political organization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

The same goes for his acumen as a politico.

From Slate • Sep. 10, 2025

Critics of Fugate’s appointment stress that their anger isn’t directed at an aspiring politico enjoying a whirlwind entry to Washington.

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2025

Once in Sacramento, Cárdenas roomed with Assemblymembers Cruz Bustamante and Richard Polanco, the Eastside politico who was then chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2024

One of his countrymen, having examined his writings, reports: "I ricordi di questo grand' uomo furono più da politico che da christiano."

From The History of Freedom by Acton, John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron