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tarnish

tar·nish
T t

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [tahr-nish]
    • /ˈtɑr nɪʃ/
    • /ˈtɑː.nɪʃ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [tahr-nish]
    • /ˈtɑr nɪʃ/

Definitions of tarnish word

  • verb with object tarnish to dull the luster of (a metallic surface), especially by oxidation; discolor. 1
  • verb with object tarnish to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully: The scandal tarnished his reputation. 1
  • verb without object tarnish to grow dull or discolored; lose luster. 1
  • verb without object tarnish to become sullied. 1
  • noun tarnish a tarnished coating. 1
  • noun tarnish tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of tarnish

First appearance:

before 1590
One of the 37% oldest English words
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; see -ish2

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Tarnish

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

tarnish popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 75% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

tarnish usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for tarnish

verb tarnish

  • achromatize — to make achromatic; to remove colour from
  • attainted — Law. to condemn by a sentence or a bill or act of attainder.
  • bad mouth — Slang. to speak critically and often disloyally of; disparage: Why do you bad-mouth your family so much?
  • bang up — When a prisoner is banged up, they are put in prison and locked in a cell.
  • be-little — to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage.

noun tarnish

  • attaint — to pass judgment of death or outlawry upon (a person); condemn by bill of attainder
  • beauty spot — A beauty spot is a place in the country that is popular because of its beautiful scenery.
  • blackhead — Blackheads are small, dark spots on someone's skin caused by blocked pores.
  • cicatrix — the tissue that forms in a wound during healing; scar
  • dirt — Design In Real Time

Antonyms for tarnish

verb tarnish

  • burnish — To burnish the image of someone or something means to improve their image.
  • lustered — having or finished with a luster.
  • lustering — the state or quality of shining by reflecting light; glitter, sparkle, sheen, or gloss: the luster of satin.

Top questions with tarnish

  • how to remove tarnish from silver?
  • what does tarnish mean?
  • how to tarnish brass?
  • how to tarnish silver?
  • what is tarnish?
  • how to remove tarnish?
  • how to tarnish copper?
  • how to remove tarnish from brass?
  • how to remove tarnish from sterling silver?
  • how to get tarnish off silver?
  • how to remove tarnish from jewelry?
  • how to remove tarnish from silver jewelry?
  • how to tarnish metal?
  • what causes silver to tarnish?
  • how to remove tarnish from copper?

See also

Matching words

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