# politic

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/ · frequency rank #37,629

## Definitions
1. Of or relating to polity, or civil government; political.
2. Relating to, or promoting, a policy, especially a national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether right or wrong.
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
4. Shrewd, prudent and expedient; showing policy.
5. Discreet and diplomatic.
6. Artful, crafty or cunning.

## Etymology
From Middle French politique, from Latin politicus, from Ancient Greek πολιτικός (politikós), from πολίτης (polítēs, “citizen”). Cognate with German politisch (“political”). Doublet of politico.

## Easily confused with
- **polity** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/politic-vs-polity)
- **politics** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/politic-vs-politics)
- **prolific** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/politic-vs-prolific)
- **politico** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/politic-vs-politico)
- **political** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/politic-vs-political)
- **polite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/polite-vs-politic)
- **poetic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poetic-vs-politic)
- **polemic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/polemic-vs-politic)

## Common misspellings (10)
`oplitic`, `ploitic`, `poiltic`, `poliitc`, `politci`, `politicc`, `polittic`, `pollitic`, `poltiic`, `ppolitic`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/politic