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prune

[pruːn]

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

Antonyms for prune

Idioms Using prune

  • to remove unnecessary or unwanted parts of something

    Example

    He pruned away the excess verbiage from his writing to make it more concise.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

How do native speakers use this expression?