Smartens is a verb that means to become smarter or more sophisticated. The spelling of this word is based on its pronunciation. The initial "s" is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative /s/. The following "m" is pronounced as a bilabial nasal /m/. The second syllable consists of the vowel "a" pronounced as a mid-central vowel /ə/, and the consonant cluster "rt" pronounced as an alveolar tap /ɾ/. Lastly, the final "ens" is pronounced with a voiced alveolar nasal /nz/.
Smartens is a verb that refers to the act of making something neat, stylish, or attractive. It involves improving the appearance or condition of someone or something, typically by tidying up or modifying its overall look. This term is often used in the context of personal appearance or fashion, describing the process of making oneself look more presentable or well-groomed.
In terms of clothing, smartening generally involves dressing up or modifying one's attire to suit a specific occasion or to enhance one's appearance. It can involve ironing, starching, or altering garments to achieve a more polished or formal look. For example, someone may smarten their outfit by adding accessories, such as a tie or jewelry, to elevate its overall elegance. Additionally, smartening up could involve wearing well-fitted clothes that accentuate one's figure or using grooming products to achieve a sleeker appearance.
Outside of personal appearance, smartening can also be applied to inanimate objects or spaces. For instance, one may smarten up a room by decluttering, organizing, or rearranging furniture to create a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing environment. It can also refer to renovating or redecorating a space to give it a more refined or sophisticated feel.
Overall, smartening encompasses the actions taken to improve the appearance, tidiness, or sophistication of a person, object, or area.
The word smartens is derived from the adjective smart with the addition of the verb-forming suffix -en.
The adjective smart has a long etymology, originating from the Old English word smeart which meant painful or stinging. Over time, it evolved to mean quick, active, and clever as well. In the early 18th century, smart also took on another meaning of being well-dressed or fashionable.
The verb-forming suffix -en is used to form causative verbs, which implies that the action of the verb is directed by a particular stimulus. Therefore, the combination of smart with -en gives rise to the verb smarten, meaning to make (someone or something) smarter or more stylish in appearance.