smarten

[ smahr-tn ]

/ ˈsmɑr tn /

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See synonyms for smarten on Thesaurus.com

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,

to groom oneself: to smarten up before dinner.
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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of smarten

First recorded in 1805–15; smart + -en¹

Words nearby smarten

smart card, smart casual, smart drink, smart drug, smart dust, smarten, smartish, smartly, smart mob, smart money, smartmouth

How to use smarten in a sentence

These tiny devices offer a cheap, simple way to smarten up any gadget without connectivity.
The Best Google smart home starter kit|Billy Cadden|July 28, 2021|Popular-Science
This cheap, tiny plug is a simple way to smarten up an old gadget.
The Best Google smart home starter kit|Billy Cadden|July 28, 2021|Popular-Science
I always shave myself on rest days—it is pleasant to feel clean, even when there is no one to smarten oneself up for.
Trans-Himalaya, Vol. 2 (of 2)|Sven Hedin
The next day we had to smarten up and get ready for the Brigadier-General, who was going to inspect us.
Into the Jaws of Death|Jack O'Brien

It tends to smarten a man, and officers are not slow to pick out the careful from the slovenly soldier.
Training for the Trenches|Leslie Vickers
An' I take it that the bar'l has an influence: some bar'ls kind of wilt cider and some smarten it up, and keep it hearty.
A Country Doctor and Selected Stories and Sketches|Sarah Orne Jewett
Tumble up at once, an' git a lively move on, or I'll be down an' smarten ye up!'
Golden Stories|Various

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

smarten

Origin of smarten

Words nearby smarten

Words related to smarten

How to use smarten in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for smarten