burnish
/ˈbɜː(ɹ)nɪʃ/
Group 28Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To polish something by rubbing; to enhance or improve GRE
Example in Context
The candidate used the overseas trip to burnish her foreign policy credentials ahead of the primary season.
Synonyms
polishshinebuff
Etymology
To polish and make shiny, enhancing the surface.
- bournire (French) — to polish
Memory Aid
🐟Sounds like “burn fish”
Imagine a chef trying to BURNISH a fish by rubbing it so hard it shines like a diamond — now that's a fancy dinner!
Visual Association
✨A golden fish glimmering under the sun after being polished to perfection.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “burnish” mean on the GRE?
burnish (verb) means “To polish something by rubbing; to enhance or improve”. The candidate used the overseas trip to burnish her foreign policy credentials ahead of the primary season.
How to remember “burnish” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “burnish” sounds like “burn fish”. Imagine a chef trying to BURNISH a fish by rubbing it so hard it shines like a diamond — now that's a fancy dinner!
What are synonyms for “burnish”?
Common synonyms: polish, shine, buff.