politician

[ pol-i-tish-uhn ]
See synonyms for: politicianpoliticians on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a person who is active in party politics.

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

  1. a person who holds a political office.

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

  3. an expert in politics or political government.

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

Origin of politician

1
From the French word politicien, dating back to 1580–90. See politic, -ian

synonym study For politician

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.

Other words from politician

  • non·pol·i·ti·cian, noun
  • self-pol·i·ti·cian, noun

Words Nearby politician

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use politician in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for politician

politician

/ (ˌpɒlɪˈtɪʃən) /


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

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

  1. 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