smarten

[ smahr-tn ]
/ ˈsmɑr tn /
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 by up): 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.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of smarten

First recorded in 1805–15; smart + -en1

Words nearby smarten

smart weapons, smart wool, smart-alec, smart-ass, smartarse, smarten, smartish, smartmouth, smartphone, smarts, smartwatch
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to smarten

adjust, amend, correct, debug, doctor, emend, face-lift, overhaul, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, regulate, restore, revamp, revise, sort, spruce, retread

Example sentences from the Web for smarten

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