smarten

verb

smart·​en ˈsmär-tᵊn How to pronounce smarten (audio)
smartened; smartening ˈsmär-tᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce smarten (audio)
ˈsmärt-niŋ
Synonyms of smartennext

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
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.
This will not only smarten up the tree but, more importantly, also leave a small, clean wound that will heal more quickly. — Washington Post, 7 July 2021 The iSmartgate Pro is a kit that will smarten up your existing garage door opener. — Jamie Kim, Good Housekeeping, 15 Nov. 2022 The real question is can NBA owners smarten up and become less greedy and give the finalists more than two months off before the start of a new season. — Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2021 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 See All Example Sentences for smarten

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of smarten was in 1782

Phrases Containing smarten

Rhymes for smarten

See All Rhymes for smarten

Browse Nearby Words

smarted up
smarten
smarten up
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smarten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smarten. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

smarten

verb
smart·​en ˈsmärt-ᵊn How to pronounce smarten (audio)
smartened; smartening ˈsmärt-niŋ How to pronounce smarten (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on smarten

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for smarten

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