smarten

To "smarten" something is not always about intelligence. Most often, it means to make something, or someone, look neater, cleaner, or more stylish. A plain room can be smartened up with a few small touches, and a person can smarten up before going out by dressing more carefully. It can also mean becoming more alert or behaving better, especially in the phrase "smarten up." Someone who is distracted may need to smarten up and pay attention, or a worker may be told to smarten up their act and do things more properly.

The word "smarten" has a few related meanings, but they all point toward improvement. At its heart, it suggests making something better by tidying it, sharpening attention, or giving it more life and energy.

Most commonly, "smarten" describes improving appearance. You might smarten up a guest room with fresh sheets and better lighting, or smarten yourself up before an interview with cleaner clothes and polished shoes. In this sense, the word is about looking neat, presentable, and well put together.

Beyond appearance, "smarten up" can mean becoming more alert, sensible, or quick to understand. If someone is not paying attention, they may be told to "smarten up." The phrase can also suggest improving behavior or performance, as in "smarten up your act," which means to behave better or do something in a more effective way.

Less commonly, "smarten" can refer to movement or pace. In more traditional or literary usage, a walk, a march, or even a horse's step may be smartened, meaning it becomes brisker, livelier, or more energetic.

So whether you are fixing up a room, improving the way you present yourself, paying closer attention, or moving with more energy, "smarten" is a word about becoming sharper and better prepared.