pulir

Pulir is a Spanish verb meaning to make a surface smooth and shiny by abrasion, or to refine or perfect something. It is commonly used for physical objects such as metal, wood, stone, glass, or ceramics, but also for intangible things like a text, a plan, or a performance. The term covers both the act of removing roughness and the final finishing that produces a bright, even surface or a polished result.

In practical use, polishing involves abrasion and the application of polishing compounds. Common materials and tools include sandpaper or abrasive discs, grinding or polishing machines, cloths, and pastes or creams designed for specific surfaces. The process often follows cleaning and, if needed, sanding to remove scratches. Different materials require different grits and polishes to avoid damage and achieve the desired sheen.

Beyond its literal sense, pulir is frequently used figuratively to denote improvement or refinement. For example, one might pulir un texto to revise and enhance its style and clarity, or pulir un discurso to perfect its delivery. The reflexive form, pulirse, can denote becoming refined or polished oneself, either in appearance or in skill, or, in some contexts, the act of self-improvement.

Etymology traces pulir to Latin polire, related to the idea of smoothing and polishing. It is a regular -ir verb in Spanish and shares its conjugation pattern with many other verbs of similar class.