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Spruced: meaning, definitions and examples

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spruced

 

[ spruːst ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

making tidy

To spruce means to make something neat, clean, or stylish. It often involves organizing or decorating to enhance appearance. The term can apply to both physical spaces and personal appearance. In a broader sense, it can also refer to making improvements or renovations to something.

Synonyms

dress up, enhance, neaten, tidy.

Examples of usage

  • She spruced up her living room for the guests.
  • He spruced himself up before the interview.
  • The school was spruced for the annual fair.
Context #2 | Verb

improving appearance

The word spruce can also indicate making something more elegant or fashionable. This use often involves adding decorative elements or improving style. People frequently spruce up outfits or rooms for special occasions, emphasizing aesthetics.

Synonyms

embellish, refine, upgrade.

Examples of usage

  • She spruced up her outfit with a nice scarf.
  • They spruced their yard by planting flowers.
  • He decided to spruce up his resume before applying.

Translations

Translations of the word "spruced" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enfeitado

🇮🇳 सुंदर बनाया हुआ

🇩🇪 aufgepeppt

🇮🇩 diperindah

🇺🇦 покращений

🇵🇱 uporządkowany

🇯🇵 整えられた

🇫🇷 épuré

🇪🇸 embellecido

🇹🇷 süslenmiş

🇰🇷 꾸며진

🇸🇦 مزين

🇨🇿 vyzdobený

🇸🇰 vyzdobený

🇨🇳 装饰的

🇸🇮 okrašen

🇮🇸 fagur

🇰🇿 сәнделген

🇬🇪 მორთული

🇦🇿 bəzədilmiş

🇲🇽 adornado

Etymology

The word 'spruce' originated from the Middle English term 'spruce' or 'pruce,' which referred to the 'Prussian' or 'German' style. In the 16th century, 'spruce' was used to describe a type of fir tree that was valued for its wood, particularly the Picea species. The connection to tidiness and style emerged over time, as the term evolved to describe people and things that appeared neat or smart, likely influenced by the spruce tree's straight and tall appearance. The association with neatness became more pronounced in the 19th century, as the term began to be used in the context of making oneself or one’s surroundings more attractive or fashionable. Throughout history, sprucing up has been tied to improving one’s outward presentation, reflecting social norms and values around appearance.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,542, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.