Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of or a candidate for an elected office: This is the most common meaning, referring to someone whose career is in government or political leadership.
   • A person who is skilled or experienced in the science or art of government; a statesperson: This sense emphasizes wisdom, experience, and principled leadership in public affairs.
   • A person who acts in a manipulative or devious way to gain advantage, especially within a group: This is a negative, often critical, meaning implying cunning and self-serving behavior.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The local politician promised to improve roads and schools. (The elected official made commitments to public services.)
  • She was a shrewd politician who understood the complexities of international diplomacy. (She was a skilled and experienced leader in government.)
  • He's more of an office politician, always maneuvering for a promotion. (He acts in a scheming way within the organization.)

Advanced Usage

• "Machine politician": A politician who is part of a powerful, controlling political organization.
  • The old-school machine politician controlled votes through patronage.
• "Politician's answer": A non-committal or evasive reply designed to avoid taking a clear position.
  • When asked about the tax increase, he gave a typical politician's answer.

Variants and Related Words

• Political (adj): Relating to the government or public affairs.
  • The decision was purely political.
• Politics (n): The activities associated with the governance of a country or area.
  • She studied politics at university.
• Statesman/Stateswoman (n): A respected, skilled, and experienced political leader. (Often contrasts with the negative connotations of "politician".)
  • He was regarded as a great statesman who put national interest first.

Synonyms

• Legislator: A person who makes laws; a member of a legislative body.
• Officeholder: A person who holds a public office.
• Schemer: A person who makes secret and intricate plans to achieve their aims. (For the negative sense.)

Related Phrases

• To go into politics: To begin a career as a politician.
  • After law school, she decided to go into politics.
• Retired politician: A former politician who is no longer active.
  • The retired politician now writes memoirs.

Related Idioms

• A honest politician: Used ironically or to describe a rare, principled figure in politics.
  • He claims to be an honest politician, but few believe him.
• Politician's promise: A promise that is unlikely to be kept.
  • Fixing all the potholes by summer? That sounds like a politician's promise.

Noun

1. a schemer who tries to gain advantage in an organization in sly or underhanded ways
2. a person active in party politics
3. a leader engaged in civil administration