(+ object) to repair and make improvements to (something, such as a building) They are refurbishing (=renovating) the old house. They sell refurbished computers. (=old computers that have been repaired so that they are in good condition)
Tag: verb
Verb > Kindle
To kindle a fire is to get it started, to light it. (And if we’re talking about rabbits, they kindle their young, meaning they give birth to them. Either way, the idea is about creating something, bringing something into being.) Read More …
Verb > Pose
1 (+ object) : to be or create (a possible threat, danger, problem, etc.) Smog poses a threat to our health. (=smog threatens our health) His careless behavior poses a hazard to others. (=his careless behavior is dangerous to others) Read More …
Verb > Howl
1 [no object] of a dog, wolf, etc. : to make a long, loud cry that sounds sad The dogs were howling at the moon. 2 [no object] of the wind : to make a long, loud sound The wind Read More …
Verb > Disperse
This word has Latin roots that literally mean “to scatter apart.” (It’s a cousin of the word “sparse,” meaning “few, thin, scattered,” as well as “intersperse,” meaning “to scatter in between.”) When things or people are clumped all together, and Read More …
Verb > Huddle
[no object] 1 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to come close together in a group People were huddling (together) in doorways to get out of the rain. We huddled around the campfire. The sheep huddled together for Read More …
Verb > Taper
[no object] to become gradually smaller toward one end leaves that taper to a point Her slacks taper [=become narrower] at the ankle. taper off [phrasal verb] to become gradually less and less : to decrease slowly Production has been Read More …
Verb > Backpedal
Like it sounds, to backpedal is to try to back up and fix a mistake, change what you said, or entirely take back what you said. That’s figurative backpedalling, and it’s usually awkward. Literal backpedalling can be graceful: it’s something Read More …
