tarnish
[ tahr-nish ]
/ ˈtɑr nɪʃ /
verb (used with object)
to dull the luster of (a metallic surface), especially by oxidation; discolor.
to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully: The scandal tarnished his reputation.
verb (used without object)
to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.
to become sullied.
noun
RELATED WORDS
sully, dim, harm, mar, pollute, smear, muddy, damage, defame, taint, impair, spoil, embarrass, stain, hurt, dull, tar, defile, befoul, blot
Nearby words
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; see -ish2
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for tarnish
tarnish
/ (ˈtɑːnɪʃ) /
verb
to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discoloursilver tarnishes quickly
to stain or become stained; taint or spoila fraud that tarnished his reputation
noun
a tarnished condition, surface, or film
Word Origin for tarnish
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
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