polished

polished — adjective

1. made smooth and bright because someone rubbed, cleaned, or finished the surface.

1.形容詞B2
釋義

made smooth and bright because someone rubbed, cleaned, or finished the surface.

例句

The waiter placed polished glasses on the table before dinner.

pattern: polished + noun

After an hour of work, the brass handle looked polished again.

linking verb: look polished

同義詞
  • shiny

    broader and only describes how light reflects, not how the surface was finished

  • glossy

    often suggests a rich surface shine, especially on paper, paint, or hair

  • smooth

    focuses more on touch and evenness than on brightness

  • buffed

    strongly suggests rubbing as part of cleaning or finishing

反義詞
  • dull

    not bright or reflective

  • rough

    not even or smooth to the touch

  • tarnished

    used especially when metal has lost its bright surface

文法句型

polished + noun

look polished

用法筆記

Often used for metal, wood, stone, glass, or shoes after cleaning or rubbing. Distinguish from sense 3, which describes the quality of work rather than physical shine.

常見錯誤

❌The table looked polish after Dad cleaned it.
✅The table looked polished after Dad cleaned it.
💡after 'looked', use the adjective 'polished', not the base form.

2. showing an easy, stylish confidence in the way someone speaks, looks, or behaves

2.形容詞C1
釋義

showing an easy, stylish confidence in the way someone speaks, looks, or behaves.

例句

The new host sounded polished even during his first live interview.

linking verb: sound polished

In a dark suit, Elena looked polished at the hotel reception.

同義詞
  • poised

    stresses calm self-control, especially under pressure

  • refined

    suggests good taste and careful social behavior

  • sophisticated

    often implies experience with fashion, culture, or social situations

  • self-assured

    focuses more directly on confidence than on style

反義詞

文法句型

seem polished

a polished speaker

a polished manner

用法筆記

Usually describes people, voices, manners, or public image. Distinguish from sense 3, which can describe a performance or piece of writing even when no person is mentioned.

常見錯誤

❌The mechanic is polished, so he can repair any engine.
✅The mechanic is highly skilled, so he can repair any engine.
💡this sense is about smooth, confident manner, not practical ability alone.

3. showing careful practice and strong skill, so the result feels complete and well

3.形容詞B2
釋義

showing careful practice and strong skill, so the result feels complete and well finished.

例句

The band gave a polished set on the small outdoor stage.

collocation: polished performance or set

Her final report was polished and easy for clients to follow.

同義詞
  • skilled

    describes ability directly, without the idea of a finished final result

  • professional

    suggests work done to a high standard, often in public or business settings

  • refined

    suggests that rough parts have been improved or removed

  • well-crafted

    fits writing, design, or other created work especially well

反義詞
  • rough

    still showing unfinished parts or mistakes

  • unfinished

    not yet fully prepared or improved

  • amateurish

    showing weak skill or poor finish

文法句型

a polished performance

a polished draft

be polished

用法筆記

Common with nouns such as performance, draft, report, or presentation. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about a surface being shiny to the eye or touch.

常見錯誤

❌The silver bowl looked polished under the lamp.
✅The silver bowl looked shiny under the lamp.
💡this sense is for skilled work or performance, not for physical surfaces.