1 C1 formal
To restore, clean, and polish something that has become old, worn, or neglected so that it looks presentable again.
"They spent the summer furbishing up the old manor house before opening it to visitors."
separable
furbish up
C1 formal separable transitive
To clean, polish, or restore something old or worn to a better condition; to renovate or smarten up.
In plain English
To clean up and restore something old so it looks like new again.
What does "furbish up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
To revise or improve something such as a piece of writing or an idea, making it fresh or presentable.
"The editor asked her to furbish up the old manuscript before resubmitting it to publishers."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To furbish (polish/clean) something completely upward to a finished state.
Actually means
To clean up and restore something old so it looks like new again.
Usage tip
An older, somewhat formal expression. The verb 'furbish' alone (meaning to polish or clean) is itself rarely used in modern English. 'Furbish up' appears in older literature and formal writing. Most modern speakers would use 'refurbish', 'do up', or 'renovate' instead.
Words that pair with "furbish up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
old furniture weapons armour the house antiques equipment
How to conjugate "furbish up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
furbish up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
furbishes up
he/she/it
Past simple
furbished up
yesterday
Past participle
furbished up
have + pp
-ing form
furbishing up
continuous
Hear "furbish up" in the wild
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