politico

¹ American  

[puh-lit-i-koh] / pəˈlɪt ɪˌkoʊ /

noun

plural

politicos

1. a politician.

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politico- ² American  

1. a combining form representing political in compound words.

   politico-religious.

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politico- ¹ British  

combining form

1. denoting political or politics

   politicoeconomic

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politico ² British  

/ pəˈlɪtɪˌkəʊ /

noun

1. an informal word for a politician politician

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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

Example Sentences

Court transcripts, transcripts of conversations Nuzzi’s had with other reporters and snapshots of a D.C. politico’s high life collide with one another in disjointed chapters that eschew timelines and zigzag among subjects.

From Los Angeles Times

One politico who lives in the district noted that two McOskers separately knocked on his door and a third called him as part of a phone banking operation.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, the list was mostly royals, tech and finance executives, and politicos from both sides of the Atlantic.

From BBC

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

From Salon

Her surveys have been watched nationally by journalists and politicos of both parties due to their accuracy, particularly leading up to the primary-season caucuses, which are viewed as crucial in presidential politics.

From Los Angeles Times