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smarten

[ smahr-tn ]
/ ˈsmɑr tn /
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verb (used with object)
to make more trim or spruce; improve in appearance (usually followed by up): Try to smarten up your outfit.
to make brisker, as a pace.
to sharpen the judgment or broaden the experience of; educate (usually followed byup): Someone has to smarten him up about dealing with people.
Verb Phrases
smarten up,
  1. to groom oneself: to smarten up before dinner.
  2. to become aware of one's mistakes, shortcomings, etc., and make efforts to correct them: If you don't smarten up, you're going to be out of a job.
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Origin of smarten

First recorded in 1805–15; smart + -en1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use smarten in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for smarten

smarten
/ (ˈsmɑːtən) /

verb (usually foll by up)
(intr) to make oneself neater
(tr) to make quicker or livelier
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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