spruce up
phrasal verb
Did you know?
titivate, spruce up, smarten up, or spiff up?
Titivate, spruce, smarten, and spiff all mean "to make a person or thing neater or more attractive." Titivate often refers to making small additions or alterations in attire ("titivate the costume with sequins and other accessories"), but it can also be used figuratively (as in "titivating the script for Broadway"). Spruce up is sometimes used for cosmetic changes or renovations that give the appearance of newness ("spruce up the house with new shutters and fresh paint before trying to sell it"). Smarten up and spiff up both mean to improve in appearance often by making more neat or stylish ("the tailor smartened up the suit with minor alterations"; "he needed some time to spiff himself up for the party"). The origins of titivate are uncertain, but it may have been formed from the English words tidy and renovate.
Examples of spruce up in a Sentence
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025
The New York Grill & Bar on the top 52nd floor, Japanese restaurant Kozue on the 40th floor, and the Club on the Park fitness center and spa are being spruced up but will maintain their original designs and allure.
—Yukari Sakamoto, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Chef Duane Nutter spruced up this must-have Southern side dish with the same flair and finesse that earned the attention of the James Beard Foundation no fewer than seven times.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
With temperatures soon to cool, the Clearing House has outdoor furniture sets that can help spruce up any patio or balcony.
—Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spruce up
Cite this Entry
“Spruce up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spruce%20up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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