polish
gb/pˈɑlɪʃ/ us/pˈɑlɪʃ/
A2
English
~ 4900
kifényesít, políroz, fényezőszer, bútorápoló, cipőkrém, csiszol, finomít, tökéletesít, elegáns, kifinomultság, csiszoltság, elegancia, kifinomult, lengyel, lengyelül
VERB
A2
1
kifényesít
B1
políroz
B2
Usage pattern:
to polish [something]
She spent the afternoon polishing the silverware.
Az egész délutánt az ezüstnemű kifényesítésével töltötte.
I need to polish my shoes before the meeting.
Ki kell fényesítenem a cipőmet a megbeszélés előtt.
He polished the wooden table until it gleamed.
Learner examples
I polish my shoes every week.
Minden héten kifényesítem a cipőmet.
She polishes the table with a soft cloth.
Puha ronggyal fényesíti ki az asztalt.
We polish the car on Sundays.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'polish' with 'clean'; cleaning removes dirt, but polishing makes something smooth and shiny.
Meaning
Make smooth and shiny by rubbing
Collocations
polish shoes
|polish furniture
|polish silver
|polish glass
Synonyms
buff (Often used for polishing surfaces like shoes or cars, with a slightly more casual tone.)
Antonyms
scratch (Damages the surface instead of making it smooth and shiny.)
Themes
daily life
|cleaning
|crafts
|daily_life
|housing
Definition
To make something smooth and bright by rubbing it.
To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing it, often with a cloth or special substance.
NOUN
A2
2
This shoe polish will protect the leather.
Ez a cipőkrém megvédi a bőrt.
She bought a new furniture polish for the dining table.
Vett egy új bútorápolót az étkezőasztalhoz.
Nail polish comes in many colors.
Learner examples
I use shoe polish to make my shoes look new.
Cipőkrémet használok, hogy a cipőm újnak nézzen ki.
We need more furniture polish.
Több bútorápolóra van szükségünk.
Her nail polish is red.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'polish' (noun) with 'polish' (verb) in sentences; word order helps identify the meaning.
Meaning
Substance for making surfaces shiny
Collocations
shoe polish
|furniture polish
|nail polish
Synonyms
wax (A type of polish, especially for wood or cars.)
Antonyms
abrasive (A substance that wears away surfaces instead of smoothing them.)
Themes
daily life
|cleaning
|daily_life
|housing
Definition
A cream or liquid that makes things smooth and bright.
A substance, such as a cream or liquid, used to make a surface smooth and shiny when rubbed on it.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to polish [something]
She spent hours polishing her presentation.
Órákat töltött a prezentációja csiszolásával.
You should polish your resume before applying for jobs.
Érdemes még csiszolnod az önéletrajzodon, mielőtt állásokra jelentkezel.
The director polished the script until it was perfect.
Learner examples
I polished my letter before sending it.
Még csiszoltam a levelemen, mielőtt elküldtem.
He polishes his speech before the show.
A fellépés előtt még csiszolja a beszédét.
We polished our plan to make it better.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is figurative; it does not involve making something physically shiny.
Meaning
Improve quality or attractiveness
Collocations
polish an essay
|polish a speech
|polish skills
Synonyms
refine (Focuses on making small improvements for higher quality.)
Antonyms
ruin (To damage or spoil something instead of improving it.)
Themes
communication
|arts
|education
|work
Definition
To make something better and more perfect.
To improve something, such as writing, a performance, or skills, to make it more attractive, impressive, or effective.
NOUN
B2
4
Her speech had the polish of a seasoned politician.
A beszéde egy rutinos politikus csiszoltságát tükrözte.
The restaurant's decor had an urban polish.
Az étterem berendezése nagyvárosi eleganciát sugárzott.
He lacks the social polish needed for diplomacy.
Learner examples
Her dress has polish and style.
A ruhája elegáns és stílusos.
He speaks with polish in public.
Nyilvánosság előtt csiszoltan beszél.
The room has polish and beauty.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the verb 'to polish'; here it means elegance, not physical shining.
Meaning
Refinement or elegance in style
Collocations
social polish
|professional polish
Synonyms
sophistication (Implies cultural knowledge and refinement.)
Antonyms
crudity (Lack of refinement or sophistication.)
Themes
appearance
|personality
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A smooth and stylish quality in how someone looks or acts.
A high level of refinement, sophistication, or elegance in manner, style, or presentation.
A2
5
She is studying Polish history.
Lengyel történelmet tanul.
They enjoy Polish cuisine.
Szeretik a lengyel konyhát.
The Polish flag is white and red.
Learner examples
I like Polish food.
Szeretem a lengyel ételeket.
He speaks Polish very well.
Nagyon jól beszél lengyelül.
Warsaw is a Polish city.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'Polish' (adjective) with 'polish' (verb/noun); capitalization is key.
Meaning
From or relating to Poland
Collocations
Polish culture
|Polish language
Synonyms
Polonian (Less common term relating to Polish diaspora communities.)
Antonyms
non-Polish (Not related to Poland or its people.)
Themes
geography
|culture
|core_vocabulary
|travel
Definition
About Poland, its people, or its language.
Relating to Poland, its people, language, or culture.
Grammar
Dictionary form
polish
IPA
GB/pˈɑlɪʃ/
US/pˈɑlɪʃ/
Syllables & stress
pol - ish (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pol)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: polish
- Plural: polish, polishes
Verb
- Base: polish
- 3rd Person Singular: polishes
- Present Participle: polishing
- Past: polished
Word family
Forms
Related words
polisher
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unpolished
adjective
Expressions
polish off
1/pˈoʊlɪʃ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
informal
Finish quickly and completely
To finish something fast, especially food or work.
Examples
- He polished off the cake in minutes.
- We polished off the last chapter before lunch.
polish up on
1/pˈoʊlɪʃ ˈʌp ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Improve skill through practice/review
To practice or study something again so you are better at it.
Examples
- I need to polish up on my Spanish before the trip.
- She polished up on her computer skills for the job interview.
put the final polish on [something]
1/pˈʊt ðə fˈaɪnəl pˈɑlɪʃ ˈɔn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Make final improvements before completion
To make small changes to make something perfect before it is finished.
Examples
- Let's put the final polish on the report before we send it.
- The editor put the final polish on the manuscript.