Smarten

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈsmɑːt(ə)n/

Definitions

1. To make neat and attractive in appearance, or to become quicker in movement or more lively in manner
2. To enhance one's appearance or demeanor to appear more polished | To improve in sophistication or style in order to attract attention positively | To become more active or lively while also presenting oneself in a more refined manner
3. To enhance the visual appeal or sophistication of oneself while also increasing liveliness or sharpness in behavior

Etymology: The verb emerged in English during the late 16th century as a back-formation from the adjective "smart," which originally meant sharp or quick in both mind and appearance. To "smarten" something was to make it smarter—typically more stylish, neat, or intelligent-looking. This process of verbing adjectives was common in Early Modern English, reflecting a growing flexibility in word formation. "Smart" itself came into English from Old English "smeart," meaning painful or severe, but by the Middle Ages, it had shifted to describe sharpness of mind and appearance. The verb form extended this idea, allowing speakers to describe the act of improving or refining something’s appearance or mental acuity. Over time, "smarten" took on a range of nuances. It could mean to tidy one’s appearance, to improve one’s behavior, or to make something more clever or sophisticated. This versatility links back to the multiplicity of senses for "smart," from physical sharpness to mental quickness and stylishness. The suffix "-en" in this case is a common English verbalizer that turns adjectives into verbs expressing the idea of “to make or become.” Other examples include "brighten" and "lengthen," making "smarten" part of a familiar pattern that allowed English speakers to expand their expressive repertoire with ease.

Synonyms: improve, enhance, refine, sharpen, polish

Antonyms: dull, weaken, blunt, degrade, impair