Formal and Informal Expressions of prune

In different contexts, you can replace 'prune' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'dried plum, trim' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'cut back, prune back' is a commonplace synonym.

prune: Explore its Definition & Usage

prune Definition

1a dried plum
2cut away dead or overgrown branches or stems from (a tree, shrub, or bush)

Using prune: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "prune" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
I like to eat prunes as a snack.
Example
The gardener pruned the rose bushes.
Example
It's important to prune fruit trees regularly.
Example
She pruned the manuscript before submitting it for publication.

prune Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for prune

trim
clip
dried plum
cut back
prune back

Antonyms for prune

Idioms Using prune

prune away
to remove unnecessary or unwanted parts of something
Example
He pruned away the excess verbiage from his writing to make it more concise.
prune the budget
to cut down on expenses or reduce spending
Example
The company had to prune the budget in order to stay afloat during the economic downturn.
prune the ranks
to eliminate or reduce the number of people in a group or organization
Example
The CEO decided to prune the ranks of middle management in order to streamline the company's operations.

Phrases with prune

prune juice
a juice made from prunes, often used as a natural laxative
Example
She drinks a glass of prune juice every morning to help with her digestion.
prune-faced
having a sour or disapproving expression on one's face
Example
The teacher always looked prune-faced when she caught students misbehaving.
prune fingers
wrinkled and shriveled fingers caused by prolonged exposure to water
Example
After spending hours in the pool, her fingers had turned into prune fingers.

Origins of prune

from Old French 'prune', from Latin 'prunum', meaning 'plum'

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Summary: prune in Brief

The term 'prune' [pruːn] refers to a dried plum, often eaten as a snack, and the act of cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems from a tree, shrub, or bush. Examples include 'I like to eat prunes as a snack.' and 'The gardener pruned the rose bushes.' Phrases like 'prune juice' and 'prune-faced' extend the term's usage, while idioms like 'prune the budget' and 'prune the ranks' denote cutting down on expenses or reducing the number of people in a group or organization.