polish

Polish can refer to three related concepts in English: the verb to polish, meaning to rub something to make it smooth or shiny; the noun polish, a substance used for polishing; and the adjective or proper noun Polish, relating to Poland, its people, or its language. The verb derives from Old French polir and Latin politus and was adopted into English in the medieval period. The noun sense arises from the action, with common examples such as shoe polish, metal polish, and polishing compounds used in crafts and manufacturing.

The term Polish as nationality or language is capitalized in English. The country name Poland comes from Latin Polonia; the adjective Polish refers to things associated with Poland or its people.

The Polish language, called Polish in English, is a West Slavic language and the official language of Poland. In Polish it is called język polski. It uses the Latin script with diacritics and has several dialects. Its vocabulary includes loanwords from neighboring languages and a long literary tradition that dates to medieval chronicles and beyond.

In everyday use, polishing is a common finishing step that improves appearance and may enhance surface properties by reducing roughness or scratches. Metaphorically, to polish a skill or performance means to refine and improve it.

Note: capitalization distinguishes the nationality or language (Polish) from the generic action or material (polish).