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
Other 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.
Wealthier silver sellers have another tarnish, because they could be paying more in taxes.
From MarketWatch
Wealthier silver sellers have another tarnish, because they could be paying more in taxes.
From MarketWatch
However, Emanuel does expect increased market volatility in 2026, and he recognizes that concerns about systemic AI risk has tarnished the tech sector somewhat of late.
From MarketWatch
“Its reputation is not tarnished because it’s being held by the military.”
"It's organised by the military, we can't let our name be tarnished."
From Barron's
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.
