brush up

verb

brushed up; brushing up; brushes up

transitive verb

1
: to improve or polish as if by brushing
2
: to renew one's skill in
brush up your Spanish

intransitive verb

: to refresh one's memory : renew one's skill
brush up on math
brushup noun

Examples of brush up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fact checked by Sarah Scott Parents of tweens and teens like me are always in need of a brush up on current slang terms, such as lala bop, and rizz. Melissa Willets, Parents, 1 Nov. 2024 The bottom line: Tax-free weekend is a good time for parents and children to brush up on their math skills before school starts again. Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 8 Aug. 2024 Napoli adds that spoolies are great for brushing up hair and blending out product. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 26 Oct. 2024 And LaFleur would be well advised to brush up on his history before mentioning Favre again. Rob Reischel, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for brush up 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brush up was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near brush up

Cite this Entry

“Brush up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brush%20up. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

brush up

verb
: to refresh one's memory, skill, or knowledge
brush up on your Spanish

More from Merriam-Webster on brush up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!