verb

burnish

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Burnish (verb) means to rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny.

verb

To rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny.

"In pottery, a stone is sometimes used to burnish a pot before firing, giving it a smooth, shiny look."

For a stag to rub the soft covering off its new antlers.

To make someone or something look more impressive or respected.

"Bonnie Parker helped burnish her own image." — Laura Browder, Maid Marians and Bad Mothers: From the Gungirls of the 1920s to the Gangsters of the 1930s (2006)

"Desperate to burnish her legacy, Louise pleads her case for higher status based on her achievements on Earth as a philanthropist, artist, and occasional royal rebel." — Geo Takach, War of the Wild Roses (2016)

To become smooth and shiny, or start to gleam.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

The verb derives from Middle English burnishen, burnysshen ("to polish, burnish; (figuratively) to brighten, give lustre to; to clean (something) until shiny; to decorate (with something shiny), adorn") and other forms, from burniss-, a stem of Old French burnir (compare, for example, the first-person present singular indicative form burnis), a variant of brunir ("to make clean and shiny, polish; to make brown") (modern French brunir), from Frankish *brūnijan ("to polish, make resplendent"), from Proto-Germanic *brūnijaną ("to decorate; tan"), from Proto-Germanic *brūnaz ("brown", adjective), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH- ("brown", adjective). It is unrelated to burn. The noun comes from the verb.

Synonyms

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buff furbish

Antonyms

dull

Related words

built fan knowing bright dumb sexy Polish tan

Rhymes for burnish

furnish

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of burnish?

"burnish" (verb) means to rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny.

What is another word for burnish?

Other words for "burnish" include buff, furbish.

What is the opposite of burnish?

The opposite of "burnish" is dull.

What are the different meanings of burnish?

"burnish" has 3 main meanings: 1. To rub a surface until it is smooth and shiny; 2. For a stag to rub the soft covering off its new antlers; 3. To make someone or something look more impressive or respected.

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