tarnish
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.
-
to become sullied.
noun
-
a tarnished coating.
-
tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal.
-
a stain or blemish.
verb
-
to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discolour
silver tarnishes quickly
-
to stain or become stained; taint or spoil
a fraud that tarnished his reputation
noun
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012Other Word Forms
- antitarnish adjective
- antitarnishing adjective
- nontarnishable adjective
- nontarnished adjective
- nontarnishing adjective
- tarnishable adjective
- tarnisher noun
- untarnishable adjective
- untarnished adjective
- untarnishing adjective
Etymology
Origin of tarnish
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The former monarch, 87, has lived in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates since 2020 after a series of extramarital and financial scandals tarnished his reputation.
From Barron's
Tesla is facing increased competition from attractively priced Chinese brands and has also suffered from a tarnished image owing to controversies surrounding its billionaire CEO Elon Musk.
From Barron's
He spearheaded action to polish the market’s tarnished image, including fines for managers who turned a blind eye to abuses and new codes of conduct.
However, the government has criticised their portrayal as aimed at tarnishing the country's image, insisting the country is safe.
From BBC
I learned that oiling the blade prevents humidity from tarnishing the steel.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
