tarnish

[ tahr-nish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to dull the luster of (a metallic surface), especially by oxidation; discolor.

   Antonyms: brighten

2. to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully:

   The scandal tarnished his reputation.

   Synonyms: soil, blemish, taint

verb (used without object)

1. to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.
2. to become sullied.

noun

1. a tarnished coating.
2. tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal.
3. a stain or blemish.

tarnish

/ ˈtɑːnɪʃ /

verb

1. to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discolour

   silver tarnishes quickly

2. to stain or become stained; taint or spoil

   a fraud that tarnished his reputation

noun

1. a tarnished condition, surface, or film

Derived Forms

• ˈtarnishable, adjective
• ˈtarnisher, noun

Other Words From

• tarnish·a·ble adjective
• anti·tarnish adjective
• anti·tarnish·ing adjective
• non·tarnish·a·ble adjective
• non·tarnished adjective
• non·tarnish·ing adjective
• un·tarnish·a·ble adjective
• un·tarnished adjective
• un·tarnish·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarnish¹

1590–1600; < Middle French terniss-, long stem of ternir to dull, deaden, derivative of terne dull, wan < Germanic; compare Old High German tarni, cognate with Old Saxon derni, Old English dierne hidden, obscure; -ish ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarnish¹

C16: from Old French ternir to make dull, from terne lustreless, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German tarnen to conceal, Old English dierne hidden

Example Sentences

However, a study “debunking” that nonspeaking autistic kids have the potential to communicate through spelling does not debunk my son’s words, and it should not be allowed to tarnish his incredible achievement just because commenters can’t believe that someone who looks so disabled on the outside is showing the world something it’s not used to: a person with various debilitating sensory issues, who shouts gibberish, flicks his fingers and won’t respond when you talk to him actually has a lively intelligent mind.

From Salon

"It would appear that the BBC team is prepared to tarnish or ruin the reputation of every senior person who worked at Harrods during Mr Al Fayed’s ownership, under the serious and damaging misapprehension that of course they must have known."

From BBC

“I am appalled to learn one of our employees would violate the public’s trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of Cal Fire,” Agency Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler shared in a statement.

From Salon

“I am appalled to learn one of our employees would violate the public’s trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of Cal Fire,” agency chief Joe Tyler said.

From BBC

“I am appalled to learn one of our employees would violate the public’s trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of Cal Fire,” Joe Tyler, the agency’s director and fire chief, said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• damage
• defame
• dim
• dull
• embarrass
• harm
• hurt
• impair
• mar
• muddy
• pollute
• smear
• spoil
• stain
• sully
• taint
• tar