1.
to become refined; to become sophisticated; to become stylish
To shed an unsophisticated quality and become polished in appearance, manner, or taste. Often used to describe someone whose style or bearing has noticeably improved.
彼女は垢抜けた。
She became stylish.
都会に出てすっかり垢抜けた雰囲気になった。
After moving to the city, she took on a completely polished air.
あの店は垢抜けたデザインで若い客に人気がある。
That shop has a sophisticated design and is popular with young customers.
USAGE:
垢抜ける is most commonly used in its past-tense form 垢抜けた as an adjective-like modifier meaning "refined" or "sophisticated." The negative form 垢抜けない means "unsophisticated" or "dowdy."
ETYMOLOGY:
Literally "to have the grime (垢) removed," suggesting the shedding of roughness or crudeness.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 垢抜けた雰囲気 (a refined atmosphere)
- 垢抜けた服装 (stylish attire)
- 垢抜けない (unsophisticated, dowdy)
GRAMMAR:
Ichidan (ru-verb). Intransitive. Most often encountered as 垢抜けた (past/adjectival) or 垢抜けない (negative).