smarten

American  

[smahr-tn] / ˈsmɑr tn /

verb (used with object)

1. to make more trim or spruce; improve in appearance (usually followed byup ).

   Try to smarten up your outfit.

2. to make brisker, as a pace.

3. to sharpen the judgment or broaden the experience of; educate (usually followed byup ).

   Someone has to smarten him up about dealing with people.

---

verb phrase

1. 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.

smarten British  

/ ˈsmɑːtən /

verb

1. (intr) to make oneself neater

2. (tr) to make quicker or livelier

---

Etymology

Origin of smarten

First recorded in 1805–15; smart + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Smarten Up was “bred” to Simplification to produce Dumben Down.

From Washington Post • Jun. 2, 2022

Smarten up and speak out, all you good citizens.

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2018

Santiva is definitely a Smarten, who comes from a long line of Nearco studs, and bred to gallop two miles.

From New York Times • May 5, 2011

"Smarten myself up?" he echoed, in blank question.

From The Brentons by Dexter, Wilson C.

Only we are purple and crimson, Only we in the dew-clear mornings, Smarten into color as the sun rises.

From Anthology of Massachusetts Poets by Braithwaite, William Stanley