How to pronounce polished
Say it like POL-isht. Polished has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POL).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce polished. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈpɑlɪʃt/POL-isht
UK British/ˈpɒlɪʃt/POL-isht
- POL
- isht
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Polished pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- POLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ishtKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of polished
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: POL-isht.
What does polished mean?
adjective
- perfected or made shiny and smooth“his polished prose”“in a freshly ironed dress and polished shoes”
- showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience“his polished manner”“maintained an urbane tone in his letters”
- (of grains especially rice) having the husk or outer layers removed“polished rice”
Questions about saying polished
How do you pronounce polished?
Say POL-isht. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɑlɪʃt/. In British English it is /ˈpɒlɪʃt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in polished?
Polished has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (POL). Broken into parts: POL · isht.
Is polished pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈpɒlɪʃt/ (POL-isht).