Pronunciation: [spɹˈuːs] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "spruce" in English is somewhat unusual compared to its pronunciation. The IPA phonetic transcription for "spruce" is /spro͞os/. The "s" makes an "s" sound, the "p" makes a "p" sound, and the "r" makes a rolled "r" sound. However, the "u" is pronounced as a short "u" sound, like in "cup", instead of a long "u" sound as in "cute". Lastly, the "ce" makes the "s" sound, like in "ice".
Spruce, as a noun, refers to a type of evergreen tree belonging to the genus Picea, which is commonly found in northern temperate regions. Spruce trees are characterized by their pyramid-shaped crowns, needle-like leaves, and drooping branches. They are known for their commercial value for timber, as they have straight trunks and provide high-quality wood used in construction, furniture-making, and the production of musical instruments.
When used as an adjective, spruce describes something that is neat, tidy, smart, or fashionable in appearance. It refers to the act of cleaning, improving, or making something more attractive by putting in extra effort. It connotes a sense of elegance, freshness, and sophistication. For instance, a well-groomed person may be described as looking spruce, or a finely decorated room may be considered spruce.
As a verb, spruce means to make someone or something more neat, tidy, or attractive by cleaning, grooming, or upgrading. It refers to the act of improving or enhancing the appearance or condition of something or someone. For example, one might spruce up their house before a special event by giving it a thorough cleaning, rearranging furniture, or adding decorative elements to make it more visually appealing.
Overall, spruce can refer to a type of evergreen tree, the quality of being neat and stylish, or the action of improving something's appearance.
A tree of the genus Picea.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• To dress with affected neatness.
• Neat or fine in dress; trim; foppish.
• A name given to several kinds of fir-trees.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "spruce" dates back to the late 14th century and its etymology can be traced to the Old French word "pruce" or "prusse", which referred to Prussia or a Prussian, and specifically the Prussian Spruce (Picea abies) tree. The Prussian Spruce was highly valued for its timber, which was imported to England in the Middle Ages and used for construction, shipbuilding, and furniture. Over time, the name of the tree became associated with qualities like elegance, neatness, and tidiness, and by the early 17th century, the term "spruce" started being used in English to describe someone or something with a smart or fashionable appearance. Today, "spruce" is primarily used to describe a type of evergreen tree and its wood, but it can also be used figuratively to depict neatness or tidiness.
