politician

[pol-i-tish-uh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR politician ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person who is active in party politics.

a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles.

a person who holds a political office.

a person skilled in political government or administration; statesman or stateswoman.

an expert in politics or political government.

a person who seeks to gain power or advancement within an organization in ways that are generally disapproved.

Origin of politician

From the French word politicien, dating back to 1580–90. See politic, -ian

Related formsnon·pol·i·ti·cian, nounself-pol·i·ti·cian, noun

Synonyms for politician

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR politician ON THESAURUS.COM

4. Politician, statesman refer to one skilled in politics. These terms differ particularly in their connotations; politician is more often derogatory, and statesman laudatory. Politician suggests the schemes and devices of a person who engages in (especially small) politics for party ends or for one's own advantage: a dishonest politician. Statesman suggests the eminent ability, foresight, and unselfish patriotic devotion of a person dealing with (especially important or great) affairs of state: a distinguished statesman.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for politician

lawmaker, senator, leader, legislator, officeholder, partisan, boss, speaker, orator, president, chieftain, grandstander, democrat, republican, congressperson, handshaker

Examples from the Web for politician

Contemporary Examples of politician

They are model citizens, the kind of people whose lives might be used as exemplary stories by a politician in a stump speech.
The 2014 Novel of the Year
Nathaniel Rich
December 29, 2014
Which politician wants to defend federally-subsidized abortions for convicted criminals?
The GOP’s Hidden Ban on Prison Abortions
Harold Pollack
December 13, 2014
He reiterated the statements “I am not a politician” and “I am not a political advisor” so often that it seemed like a verbal tic.
Obamacare Architect: I Wanted to Sound Smart
Ben Jacobs
December 9, 2014
“François Hollande never said a word out of line to me or behaved inappropriately with me—unlike many a politician,” she writes.
Hell Hath No Fury Like Valerie Trierweiler, the French President’s Ex
Lizzie Crocker
November 28, 2014
A politician or pundit screws up on one, and is made fun of on the other.
Wanted: Less Terrible Political Coverage on TV
Matt Lewis
November 19, 2014

Historical Examples of politician

Mr. John Lambert was a millionnaire, a politician, and a widower.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
She was, besides being a gamester and a politician—what do you think?
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
The politician for whom the voter had voted got in by five hundred and fifty-five votes.
Alarms and Discursions
G. K. Chesterton
The politician solemnly pointed downwards with his forefinger.
A Woman Intervenes
Robert Barr
His name was Fleming, and he claimed to be a New York politician.
A Woman Intervenes
Robert Barr

British Dictionary definitions for politician

politician

noun

a person actively engaged in politics, esp a full-time professional member of a deliberative assembly

a person who is experienced or skilled in the art or science of politics, government, or administration; statesman

derogatory, mainly US a person who engages in politics out of a wish for personal gain, as realized by holding a public office

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for politician

1580s, "person skilled in politics," from politics + -ian. It quickly took on overtones, not typically good ones. Johnson defines it as "A man of artifice; one of deep contrivance."