QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of polish
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English polishen, from Middle French poliss-, long stem of polir, from Latin polīre “to polish”; see -ish2
synonym study for polish
8. 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
Other definitions for polish (2 of 2)
Polish
[ poh-lish ]
/ ˈpoʊ lɪʃ /
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of Poland, its inhabitants, or their language.
noun
a Slavic language, the principal language of Poland. Abbreviation: Pol
OTHER WORDS FROM Polish
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use polish in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for polish (1 of 2)
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, adjectivepolisher, nounWord Origin for polish
C13 polis, from Old French polir, from Latin polīre to polish
British Dictionary definitions for polish (2 of 2)
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Other Idioms and Phrases with polish
polish
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.