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 Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 9:52 am
titivate • TIH-tuh-vayt • verb
: to make or become smart or spruce
Example Sentence:
"Work could undoubtedly be done on the show to titivate it for Broadway -- but the score will remain a problem, if not a liability." (Clive Barnes, The New York Post, August 13, 2000)
Did you know?
"Titivate," "spruce," "smarten," and "spiff" all mean "to make a person or thing neater or more attractive." "Titivate" often refers to making small additions or alterations in attire ("titivate the costume with sequins and other accessories") and can also be used figuratively, as in our example sentence. "Spruce up" is sometimes used for cosmetic changes or renovations that give the appearance of newness ("spruce up the house with new shutters and fresh paint before trying to sell it"). "Smarten up" and "spiff up" both mean to improve in appearance often by making more neat or stylish ("the tailor smartened up the suit with minor alterations"; "he needed some time to spiff himself up for the party"). The origins of "titivate" are uncertain, but it may have been formed from the English words "tidy" and "renovate."
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:57 pm
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 2:22 am
It's alternative/earlier form is "tidivate" which possibly comes from "tidy" and "elevate".
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Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 10:50 am
Damn... I was thinking it'd be pronounced TIE-tuh-vayt instead... to match with tidy. sweatdrop
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