Burnish
verb
To make something smooth or shiny by rubbing it.
She burnished the silverware until it shone like new.
Often appears as...
- burnished metal
- burnished gold
verb
To improve the image or reputation of someone or something.
They hired a public relations firm to burnish their company's image.
Often appears as...
- burnish one's reputation
- burnish the image
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To make something smooth or shiny by rubbing it.
She burnished the silverware until it shone like new.
Often appears as...
- burnished metal
- burnished gold
verb
To improve the image or reputation of someone or something.
They hired a public relations firm to burnish their company's image.
Often appears as...
- burnish one's reputation
- burnish the image
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Action
Burnish involves a physical process, often with tools like cloths.
The jeweler burnished the ring meticulously.
Pro Tip 2/3Repeated Motion
The action often requires repeated strokes to achieve the desired shine.
He burnished the ancient coin repeatedly.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Result
The result of burnishing is usually visually noticeable – a glossy finish.
The floors burnished to a high sheen.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Action
Burnish involves a physical process, often with tools like cloths.
The jeweler burnished the ring meticulously.
Pro Tip 2/3Repeated Motion
The action often requires repeated strokes to achieve the desired shine.
He burnished the ancient coin repeatedly.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Result
The result of burnishing is usually visually noticeable – a glossy finish.
The floors burnished to a high sheen.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Action
Burnish involves a physical process, often with tools like cloths.
The jeweler burnished the ring meticulously.
Pro Tip 2/3Repeated Motion
The action often requires repeated strokes to achieve the desired shine.
He burnished the ancient coin repeatedly.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Result
The result of burnishing is usually visually noticeable – a glossy finish.
The floors burnished to a high sheen.
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Video examples
Leslie T. Chang: The...
In 1941, the burnished patina of an all-American baseball glove inspired the founder of Coach to create a new collection of handbags from the same luxuriously soft gloved-hand leather.
Video examples
Orange Seals on British...
are incredible colours russets coppers burnished browns
Video examples
Leslie T. Chang: The...
In 1941, the burnished patina of an all-American baseball glove inspired the founder of Coach to create a new collection of handbags from the same luxuriously soft gloved-hand leather.
Video examples
Orange Seals on British...
are incredible colours russets coppers burnished browns
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Eavan Boland
Irish Poet
I began to write in an enclosed, self-confident literary culture. The poet's life stood in a burnished light in the Ireland of that time. Poets were still poor, had little sponsored work, and could not depend on a sympathetic reaction to their poetry. But the idea of the poet was honored.
Quote examples
Roger Stone
American Politician
Bass Weejuns are the Cordovan black or brown penny loafers originally called Norwegian Loafers, hence their name. Worn without socks in the spring and summer, they must be kept to a high-gloss polish and should become burnished with wax over time until they have a fine patina.
Quote examples
David Rockefeller
American Businessman
I suspect that many corporations have begun to understand that they have an important role to play in the lives of their communities, and that allocating funds to support local groups helps them discharge that function and also burnish their image.
Quote examples
John Gregory Dunne
American Novelist
Anecdotes are factoids of questionable provenance, burnished to a high gloss, often set in gilded venues and populated with familiar names as background atmosphere, purged of ambiguity in the interest of keeping the narrative flowing smoothly.
Quote examples
Hope Jahren
American Scientist
There is nothing in the world more perfect than a slide rule. Its burnished aluminum feels cool against your lips, and if you hold it level to the light you can see God's most perfect right angle in each of its corners.
Quote examples
Ursula Burns
American Businesswoman
I'm less concerned about whether being a good corporate citizen burnishes a company's reputation. That's just an added benefit. I believe it's a responsibility, and there is no negotiating on responsibilities.
Quote examples
Travis Knight
American Producer
We live in world that wants to burnish the rough edges and straighten the crooked line, but conformity doesn't beget greatness.
Quote examples
Michael Gove
British Politician
I absolutely haven't set out to burnish a reputation as a macho figure by picking fights.
Quote examples
Eavan Boland
Irish Poet
I began to write in an enclosed, self-confident literary culture. The poet's life stood in a burnished light in the Ireland of that time. Poets were still poor, had little sponsored work, and could not depend on a sympathetic reaction to their poetry. But the idea of the poet was honored.
Quote examples
Roger Stone
American Politician
Bass Weejuns are the Cordovan black or brown penny loafers originally called Norwegian Loafers, hence their name. Worn without socks in the spring and summer, they must be kept to a high-gloss polish and should become burnished with wax over time until they have a fine patina.
Quote examples
David Rockefeller
American Businessman
I suspect that many corporations have begun to understand that they have an important role to play in the lives of their communities, and that allocating funds to support local groups helps them discharge that function and also burnish their image.
Quote examples
John Gregory Dunne
American Novelist
Anecdotes are factoids of questionable provenance, burnished to a high gloss, often set in gilded venues and populated with familiar names as background atmosphere, purged of ambiguity in the interest of keeping the narrative flowing smoothly.
Quote examples
Hope Jahren
American Scientist
There is nothing in the world more perfect than a slide rule. Its burnished aluminum feels cool against your lips, and if you hold it level to the light you can see God's most perfect right angle in each of its corners.
Quote examples
Ursula Burns
American Businesswoman
I'm less concerned about whether being a good corporate citizen burnishes a company's reputation. That's just an added benefit. I believe it's a responsibility, and there is no negotiating on responsibilities.
Quote examples
Travis Knight
American Producer
We live in world that wants to burnish the rough edges and straighten the crooked line, but conformity doesn't beget greatness.
Quote examples
Michael Gove
British Politician
I absolutely haven't set out to burnish a reputation as a macho figure by picking fights.
Example 1 of 8
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