politician
Pluralpoliticians
- 1A person engaged in politics, especially one who holds or seeks elected or appointed office, often as a long-term career.
The senator was a seasoned politician who had served five terms.
Local politicians gathered to debate the new transportation plan.
UsageA politician works in politics; the adjective is political.
- 2A cunning, ingratiating person who flatters or maneuvers to gain an advantage.
He was too much of a politician to ever give a straight answer.
Quite the politician, she flattered the boss while quietly undermining her rivals.
UsageUsually disapproving, often in quite the politician, a real politician, or too much of a politician to answer straight.
Similaroperator, schemer, manipulator
- 3A person who is actively involved or strongly interested in politics, without necessarily holding office.
After he retired, he became something of an amateur politician, writing letters to the paper and speaking up at every town meeting.
You used to be such a politician. Do you remember the debates we held in Fitzroy's rooms?
1863, “The Fountain Kloof”, in The Sunday at HomeUsageNow mostly in the phrase armchair politician.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of politician apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
Formed from "politic" combined with the suffix "-ian".
Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Politician was formed from politic and the suffix -ian. en.wiktionary.org