burnish

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈbɜː(r)nɪʃ/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form burnish

Third-person singular burnishes

Past tense burnished

Past participle burnished

Present participle burnishing

1. (transitive) If you burnish something, you make it smooth or shiny by rubbing.
   • Synonyms: polish and shine
   .

   In pottery, a stone is sometimes used to burnish a pot before firing, giving it a smooth, shiny look.