burnishverb [ T ]
uk/ˈbɜː.nɪʃ/us/ˈbɝː.nɪʃ/literary to rub metal until it is smooth and shiny
If you burnish something such as your public image, you take action to improve it and make it more attractive:
The company is currently trying to burnish its socially responsible image.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Polishing & polishes
- beeswax
- buff
- dubbin
- finish
- French polish
- polish
- polish sth up
- polished
- rosin
- rub
- rub sth down
- shine
burnished
adjective uk/ˈbɜː.nɪʃt/us/ˈbɝː.nɪʃt/literary
smooth and shiny