SPEAK with understanding
→ Read or Listen to the passage. Locate all of the meanings of the homonym or heteronym. Studying for a test: limit and time your responses to 30-60 seconds.

HETERONYM: POLISH

“At the market, I saw a display of Polish pottery, decorated with bright blue and white designs from Eastern Europe. The shopkeeper explained that it had been imported from Kraków. Later that afternoon, I used a cloth to polish my shoes until they shone. My sister worked on her speech, practicing again and again to polish her delivery so it would sound smooth in front of the class. That evening, Mom served dumplings filled with cheese, calling them a traditional Polish recipe she had learned from her grandmother.”

How many meanings did you find?

List of the different ways that this word can be used.

SPEAK w/ P I E

  • Pronunciation

    Polish (/ˈpoʊ.lɪʃ/) → long “o” (from Poland).

    Polish (/ˈpɑː.lɪʃ/) → short “o” (shine or refine).

  • Intonation Practice
    “She bought a set of Polish dishes.”
    “He used a cloth to polish the table.”
    “She tried to polish her speech.”

  • Expression Tip
    For nationality, use a long “o.”
    For shining or improving, use a short “o.”

SEVERAL MEANINGS

  1. Polish (/ˈpoʊ.lɪʃ/) – from Poland.

  2. Polish (/ˈpɑː.lɪʃ/) – to make something shiny.

  3. Polish (/ˈpɑː.lɪʃ/) – to refine or perfect.

IDIOMS/EXPRESSION

  • Polish off – finish completely.

  • Polish up – improve or refine.