tarnish

American  

[tahr-nish] / ˈtɑr nɪʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to dull the luster of (a metallic surface), especially by oxidation; discolor.

   Antonyms:

   brighten

2. to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully.

   The scandal tarnished his reputation.

   Synonyms:

   soil, blemish, taint

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verb (used without object)

1. to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.

2. to become sullied.

noun

1. a tarnished coating.

2. tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal.

3. a stain or blemish.

tarnish British  

/ ˈtɑːnɪʃ /

verb

1. to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discolour

   silver tarnishes quickly

2. to stain or become stained; taint or spoil

   a fraud that tarnished his reputation

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noun

1. a tarnished condition, surface, or film

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

Explanation

To tarnish is to become dull or discolored. Silver tends to tarnish easily, which is why your mother is always having you polish the family silver. As a noun, a tarnish is the dull layer of corrosion that sometimes forms on metal items, usually the result of the metal reacting to oxygen in the air. Metals are most likely to tarnish, but so can anything that once felt sparkly and bright but has lost its luster — even you. If the new kid just beat you in chess, your reputation as the best chess player in your class has started to tarnish. Better not lose again!

Example Sentences

Cervantes further alleges that unknown parties within the Sacramento Police Department leaked news of her arrest to the press in a deliberate attempt to tarnish her reputation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

"The Turkish authorities are unfortunately continuing their efforts to further tarnish the country’s already grim record, where 27 journalists were imprisoned last year," RSF's Onderoglu said.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

The allegations threatened to tarnish Sheffield’s reputation and isolated him within the industry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Wealthier silver sellers have another tarnish, because they could be paying more in taxes.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025

“The hearts I tarnish with miserable ghosts? That’s good, Sarai. That’s really poetic.”

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• damage
• defame
• dim
• dull
• embarrass
• harm
• hurt
• impair
• mar
• muddy
• pollute
• smear
• spoil
• stain
• sully
• taint
• tar