ˈsmärt ə n, ˈsmȧt- verb
( smartened ; smartened ; smartening -t( ə )niŋ ; smartens )
Etymology: smart (II) + -en
transitive verb
: to make smart or smarter:
a. : to improve in appearance (as by making neat, trim, spruce, or stylish)
a tightened and smartened version of the modern sports coat — James Lauer
— usually used with up
sent the kids along to smarten themselves up — John Christopher
newly shaved and smartened up — Thor Heyerdahl
smarten themselves up for the evening meal — Rebecca West
smartened up with a new figurehead — Mollie Panter-Downes
b. : to make more brisk or vigorous
smarten the pace
: brighten up : enliven — used with up
old theme … has been smartened up into a refreshing piece of whimsy — New Yorker
c. : to make more alert : sharpen the wits of — used with up
could learn a lot … smarten you up no end — A.M.Shairp
intransitive verb
1. : to smarten oneself : become smart or smarter — used with up
everybody tried to smarten up for the festival — Christopher Morley
smarten up boy … leave the dumbbells settle the war — Richard Bissell
2. : to become sharper or more vigorous or intense
a smartening wind
smarten into color as the sun rises — Amy Lowell