Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

button up

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.55 in modern English

Syllables: but-ton up
IPA

12

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To fasten with a button or buttons.

Transitive verb

verb

To fasten all the buttons on a coat, or similar item of clothing, to keep warm.

Intransitive verb

verb

To conclude; to finalize; to put the finishing touches (on).

verb

Alternative form of button up one's lip.

verb

To seal off (a military vehicle or facility).

American usage; Slang; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Button up your shirt cuff. It has come undone."
"Button up well. It's freezing outside today."
"It's time to button up the meeting."
"He needs to button up."
"Once buttoned up, NORAD's operation center can survive for more than 30 days without aid from the outside world."
"We fired at the tanks and caused them to "button up" and then we started shooting the infantry."

Usage

Inflected Forms

buttons up (present, singular) buttoning up (participle, present) buttoned up (participle, past) buttoned up (past)

Synonyms

close up clam up dummy up shut up belt up be quiet keep mum

Questions

What does button up mean?: To fasten with a button or buttons.

How to pronounce button up

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “button up”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “button up”.
Repeat and practice — Say “button up” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.