online vocabulary.com

Burnished - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Burnished means polished or made smooth and shiny by rubbing, often used to describe metals or surfaces that gleam from careful finishing. It can also imply refinement or perfection.

burnished

/ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/ /ˈbɜːnɪʃt/

Definition:

Made smooth and shiny by rubbing or polishing.

Synonyms:

polished, buffed, gleaming, lustrous

Part of Speech:

adjective, verb (past tense)

Antonyms:

tarnished, dulled

Common Collocations:

burnished metal, burnished leather, burnished gold

Derivatives:

burnisher, burnishing

Usage Tips:

Use "burnished" to describe objects with a polished shine, often metals or surfaces treated for luster.

Common Phrases:

burnished to perfection, burnished by hand, burnished finish

Etymology:

From Old French "burnir," meaning to polish or make bright; related to "brown" from its shine resembling browned metal.

Examples:

  • 1. The craftsman burnished the copper vase until it gleamed.
  • 2. Her boots were made of soft, burnished leather.
  • 3. The knight’s armor was burnished to a mirror-like finish.
  • 4. He admired the burnished gold frame around the painting.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS