spruce

word

Definition

A type of evergreen tree with needle-shaped leaves; also, to make yourself or something look neat, tidy, or more attractive.

Usage & Nuances

As a noun, 'spruce' refers to the tree. As a verb or adjective (informal), it means to make neat or stylish, often used in phrases like 'spruce up.' Informal and mostly used in casual speech. Don't confuse with 'sprout' or 'spice.'

Spanish: abeto - arreglarse (coloquial)Portuguese (BR): abeto - arrumar-se (coloquial)Portuguese (PT): abeto - arranjar-se (coloquial)Chinese (Simplified): 云杉 - 打扮整洁（口语）Chinese (Traditional): 雲杉 - 打扮整齊（口語）Hindi: स्प्रूस (पेड़) - सजना संवरना (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: شجرة التنوب - يرتب مظهره (عامية)Bengali: শিমুল - সাজানো (আলোকিত)Russian: ель - прихорашиваться (разг.)Japanese: トウヒ - きちんとした（身なりを整える）Vietnamese: cây vân sam - chỉnh tề (trang trí, làm đẹp)Korean: 가문비나무 - 단정하게 하다(차려입다)Turkish: ladin - süslemek (düzenlemek)Urdu: صنوبر - آراستہ کرنا Indonesian: cemara - merapikan (memperindah)

Example Sentences

Let’s spruce up before the guests arrive.

natural

A spruce is common in northern forests.

basic

She likes to spruce up her room with plants.

basic

The house looks more spruce after painting.

basic

He bought a new suit to look spruce at his interview.

natural

There’s a tall spruce by the lake where we met.

natural