politician
politician
Pronunciation
There are two common pronunciations for "politician" depending on the dialect (US vs. UK):
1. US English:
IPA: /ˌpɑləˈtɪʃ(ə)n/
Breakdown by syllable:
ˌpɑlə /ˌpɑ/ (short "ah" sound like "father") /lə/ (schwa sound, a neutral vowel)
ˈtɪʃ /ˈtɪ/ (short "i" sound) /ʃ/ (sh sound)
(ə)n /(ə)n/ (optional schwa sound, sometimes silent)
2. UK English:
IPA: /ˌpɒlɪˈtɪʃ(ə)n/
Breakdown by syllable:
ˌpɒl /ˌpɒ/ (short "o" sound like "caught") /l/ (l sound)
ɪ /ɪ/ (long "i" sound like "machine")
ˈtɪʃ /ˈtɪ/ (short "i" sound) /ʃ/ (sh sound)
(ə)n /(ə)n/ (optional schwa sound, sometimes silent)
Word Form Variations
The word "politician" has several word form variations depending on its function in a sentence:
Singular: politician (base form)
Plural: politicians (used to refer to more than one politician)
Possessive: politician's (singular possession) - e.g., The politician's speech was well-received.
Possessive plural: politicians' (plural possession) - e.g., The politicians' debate was lively.
No direct adjective: While there isn't a direct adjective form of "politician," you can use phrases like "political" (e.g., a political career) or "politician-like" (e.g., his politician-like manoeuvring).
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
A person who is actively involved in party politics and seeks or holds public office.
Synonyms: statesperson (positive), public servant (neutral), pol (informal), politico (informal), officeholder
Antonyms: apolitical (not interested in politics), outsider (someone new to politics)
A person skilled in the art or science of government and administration. (More positive connotation)
Synonyms: statesman/stateswoman, leader, strategist, negotiator
Antonyms: demagogue (appeals to emotions rather than reason), dilettante (someone who dabbles in something without expertise)
Informal (derogatory) Noun:
A person who is more concerned with winning favour or retaining power than with maintaining principles.
Synonyms: self-server, opportunist, career politician
Antonyms: idealist, principled, public servant (positive connotation)
Note: "Politician" can also be used figuratively to refer to someone who engages in political manoeuvring within an organisation, but this usage is less common.
Verb, Adjective, and Adverb:
There are no standard verb, adjective, or adverb forms for "politician" itself. However, you can use related words derived from the noun:
Verb: To politicise (to make something a political issue)
Adjective: Political (relating to politics)
Adverb: Politically (in a way related to politics)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Voters are increasingly disillusioned with career politicians who seem more interested in reelection than in serving the public good." (A Promised Land by Barack Obama)
Newspapers:
"The veteran politician announced his retirement after 30 years in public service." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"Social media has become a powerful tool for politicians to connect with voters." (The Atlantic)
Entertainment Mediums:
Movie: In the political drama "House of Cards," ruthless politician Frank Underwood uses cunning tactics to climb the ranks of power.
TV Show: The satirical comedy "Parks and Recreation" follows the lives of low-level government employees, offering a humorous look at the inner workings of local politics.
General Public Discourse:
"People are looking for a new type of politician who can bring common sense solutions to our problems." (Public opinion during an election)
"The debate between the two politicians became heated as they argued over economic policy." (News report on a political debate)
Social Media:
"Many politicians are now using Twitter to communicate directly with their constituents." (Social media commentary)
Informal Conversation:
"I don't trust politicians; they're all in it for themselves." (Casual conversation about politics)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Politician
"The ballot is stronger than the bullet." - Abraham Lincoln (Famous quote, source may vary)
"A politician is a fellow who promises to build a bridge even where there's no river." - Will Rogers (Quote about empty promises)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (Quote about the importance of citizen participation, not referencing politicians directly but relevant to their role)
"Politicians, unlike diapers, shouldn't be changed too often." - Alphonse Karr (Humorous quote about political stability)
"Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers." - Nikita Khrushchev (Quote about politicians' similar tactics)
"Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy (Quote about citizen responsibility, contrasting with politician focus)
"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato (Quote about the importance of citizen participation, not referencing politicians directly but relevant to their role)
"Politics is not an exact science." - Otto von Bismarck (Quote about the unpredictable nature of politics)
"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Winston Churchill (Controversial quote criticising public political knowledge)
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." - Disraeli (Quote about manipulating information, often used in political context)
Etymology
The word "politician" is a fairly recent invention in the grand scheme of things. It showed up in English around the late 1500s. Back then, people weren't talking about slick politicians giving speeches.
The word comes from the adjective "politic," which means "of or relating to government." Someone who studies these things is called a "political scientist" today, for example. So, the first politicians were basically just people who were involved with the business of running a government.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Politician
Phrases:
Career politician: Someone who has spent a long time in politics, often seen as out of touch with current issues.
Lame duck: A politician who is nearing the end of their term and has limited power.
Grassroots politician: A politician who focuses on building support among ordinary people.
Power politician: A politician who is ruthless and willing to do anything to gain power.
Throw your hat in the ring: To announce your candidacy for political office.
Kiss babies: To campaign by meeting voters and shaking hands, especially with children. (Can be used sarcastically)
Play the political game: To engage in the tactics and strategies commonly used by politicians.
Idioms:
Strange bedfellows: When two opposing groups or people work together for a common purpose, often seen in politics.
Politically correct: Avoiding language or behaviour that might offend some people, often used critically.
Cross the aisle: When a politician works with someone from the opposing political party.
Run on empty promises: To campaign by making promises that are unlikely to be kept.
Kick someone to the curb: To remove someone from a position of power, often used figuratively in politics.
Wag the dog: To distract the public from a scandal by creating a foreign policy crisis (negative connotation).
Posts Related to Politician
Source Information
Definition of politician from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
