What does "politic" mean?
A politician.
Politic
/ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A politician.
- Grammar: politic is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: acute, adept, adroit, advantageous.
- Useful contrasts: impolitic, anarchy, chaos.
- Usage evidence: No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; am an attendant lord, one that will do to swell a progress, start a scene or two, advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, deferential, glad to be of use, politic, cautious, and meticulous; full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; at times, indeed, almost ridiculous— almost, at times, the Fool.
How to use "politic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "politic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "politic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "politic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "politic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "politic" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acute" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "politic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A politician. archaic
"to speake truly of politikes & Statesmen"
- 2 A politics; a set of political beliefs.
"While the stories and lives on the screen are alternately moving and funny, an unspoken question arises: does similar experience always lead to a coherent politic?"
Verb
- 1 Alternative spelling of politick. alt-of, alternative
"That why you turned the Kanuyaq Land Trust into the IRS for using donations to politic instead of to buy land?"
Adjective
- 1 Of or relating to polity, or civil government; political. archaic
"the body politic"
- 2 Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong. archaic
"a politic treaty"
- 3 Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense, wise; prudent; sagacious archaic
"I have been politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy"
- 4 Shrewd, prudent and expedient; showing policy.
"But as he headed for the front of the line one of his minders whispered that it might be politic to go to the back."
- 5 Discreet and diplomatic.
"A unanimous exclamation called upon Evelyn himself to speak; and, after a minute's politic pause, he went on to state his plan."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Artful, crafty or cunning.
Adjective
- 1 smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication wordnet
- 2 marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness wordnet
Example
"No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; am an attendant lord, one that will do to swell a progress, start a scene or two, advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, deferential, glad to be of use, politic, cautious, and meticulous; full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; at times, indeed, almost ridiculous— almost, at times, the Fool."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "politic"?
Common synonyms include: acute, adept, adroit, advantageous, advisable, appropriate.
How do you use "politic" in a sentence?
No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be; am an attendant lord, one that will do to swell a progress, start a scene or two, advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool, deferential, glad to be of use, politic, cautious, and meticulous; full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse; at times, indeed, almost ridiculous— almost, at times, the Fool.
How do you pronounce "politic"?
Pronounced /ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle French politique, from Latin politicus, from Ancient Greek πολιτικός (politikós), from πολίτης (polítēs, “citizen”). Cognate with German politisch (“political”). Doublet of politico.
Etymology 2
Back-formation from politicking.