burnish
/ˈbɜː.nɪʃ/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing it. It can also mean to improve or polish something, like an image or reputation.
- She burnished the brass until it gleamed.
- The company tried to burnish its reputation.
- He burnished his skills through daily practice.
Adinary Nuance
Burnish is close to polish, shine, and improve, but it often sounds more careful and formal. Writers use it when something is made to look better, especially a reputation, image, or style. It can suggest deliberate effort, not just simple cleaning.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đánh bóng
- Spanish
- pulir
- Chinese
- 抛光
- Japanese
- 磨く
- Korean
- 닦다
Etymology
Burnish comes from Old French burnir, meaning “to shine or polish,” which came into English in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
burnish a reputationburnish an imageburnish metal
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is burnish formal or informal?
- It is more formal than everyday words like polish or shine.
- Can I use burnish for reputation or image?
- Yes. That is a very common figurative use in writing.
- What is the difference between burnish and polish?
- Polish is the general word. Burnish often sounds more literary or formal.