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spruce

[spro͞os]

spruce Definition

  • 1a type of evergreen tree with short needles and small, brown cones
  • 2neat, clean, and smart in appearance

Using spruce: Examples

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

  • Example

    The spruce trees in the forest were tall and majestic.

  • Example

    He always keeps his office looking spruce and organized.

  • Example

    She wore a spruce suit to the job interview.

spruce Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for spruce

Antonyms for spruce

Idioms Using spruce

  • up like a spruce

    neatly dressed or well-groomed

    Example

    He showed up to the party up like a spruce, wearing a sharp suit and polished shoes.

  • to make a place look neater or more attractive, especially by cleaning or decorating it

    Example

    We need to spruce the place up before the guests arrive.

  • a nickname for the Hughes H-4 Hercules airplane, a prototype aircraft designed and built by Howard Hughes

    Example

    The Spruce Goose is one of the largest airplanes ever built.

Phrases with spruce

  • spruce up

    to make something look neater or more attractive, especially by cleaning or decorating it

    Example

    We need to spruce up the living room before the guests arrive.

  • a type of beer made from the tips of spruce tree branches

    Example

    Spruce beer was a popular drink among early settlers in North America.

  • a type of bird found in North America that lives in coniferous forests

    Example

    The spruce grouse is known for its distinctive mating call.

Origins of spruce

from Old French 'pruce', meaning 'Prussian', as the tree was originally imported from Prussia

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Summary: spruce in Brief

The term 'spruce' [spro͞os] refers to a type of evergreen tree with short needles and small, brown cones, as well as to neat, clean, and smart appearances. The former is exemplified by 'The spruce trees in the forest were tall and majestic.' The latter is shown in 'He always keeps his office looking spruce and organized.' 'Spruce' extends into phrases like 'spruce up,' and idioms like 'up like a spruce,' denoting neatly dressed or well-groomed individuals.

How do native speakers use this expression?