politician

politician — noun

1. someone who works in politics, often by winning election to help make laws or go

1.nounB1
Definition

someone who works in politics, often by winning election to help make laws or govern a place.

Example

After ten years on the city council, Elena became a national politician.

adjective + politician

Several politicians debated the school budget on live television last night.

Common collocations
  • career politician
  • local politician
  • national politician
  • young politician
  • opposition politician
Synonyms
  • lawmaker

    narrower; only someone whose role is to make laws

  • officeholder

    formal; stresses holding an official post

  • public servant

    stresses service and can include unelected government workers

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

adjective + politician

politician + promise / debate / block + bill

Usage Note

Usually neutral and used for real public life. Common modifiers are local, national, young, opposition, and career. Distinguish from sense 2, which is often critical and can also be used outside government.

Common Mistakes

Eva became a politician after taking one politics class.
Eva became interested in politics after taking one politics class.
studying politics does not make someone a politician.

2. someone who turns office relationships and small decisions into chances to incre

2.nounC1
Definition

someone who turns office relationships and small decisions into chances to increase their own influence or benefit.

Example

By noon, Kevin had already flattered both managers like a skilled politician.

figurative comparison: like a politician

Office politicians spread gossip to weaken rivals before the promotion meeting.

office politician = power-seeking colleague

Common collocations
  • office politician
  • student politician
  • skilled politician
  • play the politician
Synonyms
  • schemer

    stresses secret planning more strongly

  • operator

    informal; suggests skill at gaining influence

  • climber

    informal; stresses trying to rise to a higher position

Antonyms
  • idealist

    acts from principle rather than personal gain

Grammar Patterns

like a politician

office politician

become a politician

Usage Note

Usually disapproving. It is often used about people in companies, schools, clubs, or committees, not only in national politics. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense criticizes the way someone tries to gain advantage.

Common Mistakes

The speech was very politician.
The speech was very political.
'politician' is a noun; use 'political' to describe speech, ideas, or decisions.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words overlap, but they point to different sides of public life. 'Politician' is the broad everyday word for someone active in government, elections, or party work. 'Lawmaker' is narrower: it only fits people whose job is to make laws, such as members of parliament. 'Officeholder' is more formal and focuses on the fact that a person occupies an official post. 'Public servant' highlights service and duty, and it often includes unelected workers as well as elected leaders. 'Statesman' is strongly positive and suggests wisdom, experience, and concern for the long term. A mayor can be a politician, a senator is also a lawmaker, and a respected former president may be praised as a statesman.

politician ↗lawmakerstatesmanofficeholderpublic servant

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Politician was formed in English from 'politics' plus the ending '-ian', meaning a person connected with a field or activity. The wider word family goes back through French and Latin to Greek words linked with the city and its citizens, especially 'polis' meaning 'city' and 'polites' meaning 'citizen'. From the start, the idea behind the family was life in a community that has to be governed.