tarnish
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.
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to become sullied.
noun
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a tarnished coating.
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tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal.
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a stain or blemish.
verb
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to lose or cause to lose the shine, esp by exposure to air or moisture resulting in surface oxidation; discolour
silver tarnishes quickly
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to stain or become stained; taint or spoil
a fraud that tarnished his reputation
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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tarnishernoun
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antitarnishadjective
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antitarnishingadjective
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nontarnishableadjective
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nontarnishedadjective
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nontarnishingadjective
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tarnishableadjective
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untarnishableadjective
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untarnishedadjective
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untarnishingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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tarnishsimple
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tarnishessimple
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have tarnishedperfect
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has tarnishedperfect
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are tarnishingprogressive
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am tarnishingprogressive
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is tarnishingprogressive
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have been tarnishingperfect progressive
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has been tarnishingperfect progressive
Past
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tarnishedsimple
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had tarnishedperfect
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was tarnishingprogressive
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were tarnishingprogressive
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had been tarnishingperfect progressive
Future
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; see -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!
Vocabulary lists containing tarnish
List 3
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Chains
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Auggie & Me
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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.
Please Don’t Tarnish Your Legacy, that’s what everyone says about an aging great — and if they listened, how many third acts would never happen?
From Washington Post • Oct. 26, 2022
Headlined “Stalled Condo Projects Tarnish Trump’s Name,” the report raised doubt about what the mogul treasured — and banked on — most in business: the value of his personal brand.
From Salon • Oct. 26, 2018
Tarnish and silver polish residue were in its crannies, and the original ebony pedestal had been replaced with a painted base that was three inches shorter.
From New York Times • Oct. 30, 2014
Shining Moments Amid the Tarnish To go by the ominous headlines and warnings of 100-game suspensions for 20 or more players, last week was sobering for Major League Baseball.
From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2013
Slaves of gold! whose sordid dealings Tarnish all your boasted powers; Prove that you have human feelings, Ere you proudly question ours.
From The Liberty Minstrel by Clark, George W.
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.
