smarten

verb

smart·​en ˈsmär-tᵊn 

smartened; smartening ˈsmär-tᵊn-iŋ 

ˈsmärt-niŋ

transitive verb

: to make smart or smarter

especially : spruce

—usually used with up

intransitive verb

: to smarten oneself

—used with up

Examples of smarten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For footwear, the only way to dress and impress in formal summer weddings is via tuxedo shoes, and these monk straps in glossy leather finish will easily smarten you up while hitting the nail on dressy formal attire. —Ted Stafford, Men's Health, 30 June 2023

Blazers can smarten up even the simplest of looks. —Alice Cary, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2021

Starting November 27, smarten up your home with savings on the Google Nest Hub ($49.98, originally $89.98, walmart.com), which features a seven-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and can do everything from tell you the weather to stream your favorite shows. —Julianne Ross, CNN Underscored, 25 Nov. 2020

The iSmartgate Pro is a kit that will smarten up your existing garage door opener. —Jamie Kim, Good Housekeeping, 15 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing smarten

• smarten up

Kids Definition

smarten

verb

smart·​en ˈsmärt-ᵊn 

smartened; smartening ˈsmärt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to make smart or smarter

especially : spruce, freshen

smartened themselves for the party

2

: to make or become more alert or informed

smarten up, before it's too late