1 B1 idiomatic informal
To make a place look cleaner and more attractive, especially with minor improvements
"They spruced up the living room with a fresh coat of paint and some new cushions."
separable
sprucen up
B1 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To make something or someone look cleaner, neater, and more attractive, especially with small improvements
In plain English
To make something or yourself look nicer and cleaner, usually by making small changes
What does "sprucen up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To make yourself look neater, cleaner, or more presentable
"He went upstairs to spruce himself up before the guests arrived."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
To improve the appearance or quality of something (a document, presentation, or design) with small adjustments
"The design team spruced up the website with a new colour scheme and cleaner fonts."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Possibly from 'spruce' (a type of wood historically associated with fine goods from Prussia); meaning to make smart and neat
Actually means
To make something or yourself look nicer and cleaner, usually by making small changes
Usage tip
Note: the standard spelling is 'spruce up' — 'sprucen up' appears to be a misspelling or dialectal variant and is not standard. Assuming this entry covers 'spruce up.' Very common in British and American English for minor improvements to appearance — rooms, houses, outfits, or oneself. Often used before a special occasion or event.
Words that pair with "sprucen up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
house room garden outfit yourself office
How to conjugate "sprucen up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
sprucen up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sprucens up
he/she/it
Past simple
sprucened up
yesterday
Past participle
sprucened up
have + pp
-ing form
sprucening up
continuous
Hear "sprucen up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "sprucen up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "sprucen up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.