Polished means rubbed until the surface shines. Polished brass, a polished floor, polished to a shine.
The shine comes from smoothing rather than adding — polishing removes the tiny irregularities that scatter light, which is why a polished surface reflects. Figuratively it means smooth and accomplished: a polished performance, polished manners. Note that a polished performance is a compliment and being too polished is a criticism, which is a fine line.
1adjectivepolishedRubbed until the surface shines.
“She could see her face in the polished silver tray.”
2adjectivesmoothSmooth and accomplished.
“She's a polished speaker who never needs any notes.”
polished is a state of being smoothed.
Practised in Texture & Touch