SMARTEN UP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does smarten up mean? 

• SMARTEN UP (verb)
  The verb SMARTEN UP has 2 senses:

1. make neat, smart, or trim

2. dress and groom with particular care, as for a special occasion

  Familiarity information: SMARTEN UP used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SMARTEN UP (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make neat, smart, or trim

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

slick up; smarten up; spiff up; spruce; spruce up; titivate; tittivate

Context example:

titivate the child

Hypernyms (to "smarten up" is one way to...):

beautify; embellish; fancify; prettify (make more beautiful)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Dress and groom with particular care, as for a special occasion

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

slick up; smarten up; spruce; spruce up

Context example:

He spruced up for the party

Hypernyms (to "smarten up" is one way to...):

groom; neaten (care for one's external appearance)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody