furbish
to restore to freshness of appearance or good condition (often followed by up): to furbish a run-down neighborhood; to furbish up one's command of a foreign language.
to polish.
Origin of furbish
1Other words from furbish
- fur·bish·er, noun
- un·fur·bished, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use furbish in a sentence
After dinner into London and bought some books, and a belt, and had my sword new furbished.
Diary of Samuel Pepys, Complete | Samuel PepysShe furbished up her wedding gown and made engagements to sing at parlor entertainments.
Southern Hearts | Florence Hull WinterburnHis mother marveled why Saul furbished himself up so carefully that evening.
The Incendiary | W. A. (William Augustine) LeahyThey had brushed their clothes, furbished their arms, and put on the best possible appearance.
The Bastonnais | John LesperanceBut as there was nothing to prevent the petty officers going, they all furbished up and started, taking us two boys with them.
The Log of a Sea-Waif | Frank T. Bullen
British Dictionary definitions for furbish
/ (ˈfɜːbɪʃ) /
to make bright by polishing; burnish
(often foll by up) to improve the appearance or condition of; renovate; restore
Origin of furbish
1Derived forms of furbish
- furbisher, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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