whiten

[ hwahyt-n, wahyt-n ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become white.

   Antonyms: blacken

whiten

/ ˈwaɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become white or whiter; bleach

Derived Forms

• ˈwhitening, noun

Other Words From

• un·whitened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiten¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English whitenen; white, -en ¹

Synonym Study

Whiten, blanch, bleach mean to make or become white. To whiten implies giving a white color or appearance by putting a substance of some kind on the outside: to whiten shoes. To blanch implies taking away natural or original color throughout: to blanch celery by growing it in the dark. To bleach implies making white by placing in (sun) light or by using chemicals: to bleach linen, hair.

Example Sentences

The post Give the gift of a brighter smile with these water flossers, electric toothbrushes, and whitening kits on sale appeared first on Popular Science.

From Popular-Science

It's 'supposed' to whiten your teeth and pull the toxins out of your body.

From The Daily Beast

Very carefully and cleverly she began to whiten her face, to touch up her eyes and her narrow, definite eyebrows.

From Project Gutenberg

To this a man whose hair is beginning to whiten, replies, "A graceful compliment to you, madame!"

From Project Gutenberg

His calm, classic features began to whiten (and sharpen) in the frosty moonlight.

From Project Gutenberg

There was just enough snow to whiten the ground, but none to spare.

From Project Gutenberg

These, together with the asphodels, which literally whiten the ground, indicate the neighbourhood of the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bleach