politic
/ˈpɑ.lɪ.tɪk/adjective, noun, verb
politic is spelled P-O-L-I-T-I-C: 7 letters and 3 syllables. It appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 37,459th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, politic means “Shrewd, prudent and expedient; showing policy” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in politic?
| Letters | 7: P-O-L-I-T-I-C |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 3 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 2 million words; the 37,459th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is politic?
Politic appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 37,459th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce politic?
- UK /ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/
- UK /ˈpɒl.ə.tɪk/
- US /ˈpɑ.lɪ.tɪk/
Politic has 3 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-politic.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with politic
Also written: politique.
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
Forms of politic
- more politic comparative
- most politic superlative
- politics plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- politicking participle, present
- politicked participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does politic mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
archaicOf or relating to polity, or civil government; political.
the body politic
- 2
archaicRelating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong.
a politic treaty
- 3
archaicSagacious 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
- 4
Shrewd, prudent and expedient; showing policy.
- 5
Discreet and diplomatic.
- 6
Artful, crafty or cunning.
noun
- 1
archaicA politician.
- 2
A politics; a set of political beliefs.
verb
- 1
Alternative spelling of politick.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Where does politic come from?
From Middle French politique, from Latin polīticus, from Ancient Greek πολιτικός (politikós), from πολίτης (polítēs, “citizen”). Cognate with German politisch (“political”). Doublet of politico.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).