politic

American  

[pol-i-tik] / ˈpɒl ɪ tɪk /

adjective

1. shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic.

   Synonyms:

   discreet, wary, astute

   Antonyms:

   tactless, indiscreet, imprudent

2. contrived in a shrewd and practical way; expedient.

   a politic reply.

3. political.

   the body politic.

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politic British  

/ ˈpɒlɪtɪk /

adjective

1. artful or shrewd; ingenious

   a politic manager

2. crafty or unscrupulous; cunning

   a politic old scoundrel

3. sagacious, wise, or prudent, esp in statesmanship

   a politic choice

4. an archaic word for political

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Related Words

See diplomatic.

Other Word Forms

• overpolitic adjective
• politicly adverb
• prepolitic adjective
• pseudopolitic adjective
• quasi-politic adjective

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” ( polity ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

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

But political strategist and pollster Chris Bruni‑Lowe, who has written a book on the history of politic slogans, would advise against using Arise as the new party's name.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025

We are affirmed in the knowledge that we are the body politic.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2025

Or if one wished to think biologically rather than architecturally, the body politic had yet to develop its immunities to the political diseases afflicting all new nations.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis