burnish

[bur-nish]

verb (used with object)

1. to polish (a surface) by friction.

   Synonyms: shine, buff

2. to make smooth and bright.

3. Engraving.,  to flatten and enlarge the dots of (a halftone) by rubbing with a tool.

noun

1. gloss; brightness; luster.

   the burnish of brass andirons.

burnish

/ ˈbɜːnɪʃ /

verb

1. to make or become shiny or smooth by friction; polish

noun

1. a shiny finish; lustre

Other Word Forms

• burnishable adjective
• burnisher noun
• burnishment noun
• unburnished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of burnish¹

1275–1325; Middle English burnissh < Anglo-French burniss-, Middle French bruniss- (long stem of burnir, brunir to darken, polish), equivalent to brun- brown + -iss- -ish ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of burnish¹

C14 burnischen , from Old French brunir to make brown, from brun _brown

Example Sentences

For Prime Minister Modi, the move would burnish his image at home.

From BBC

Sure, he was having a nice season with the Washington Nationals, and burnished his reputation as a tough at-bat on opposing pitchers.

From Los Angeles Times

He burnished his reputation as an occasionally dirty player, and never seemed too interested in trying to change it.

From Los Angeles Times

Jim Lovell had been to the Moon twice, witnessed Earthrise and narrowly avoided a cold death in space - and saw no reason to falsely burnish his résumé.

From BBC

In exchange, the work burnishes the firm’s reputation and serves as a draw for idealistic young associates.

From Salon