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

---

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

---

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; 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!

Example Sentences

Holt—who is set to graduate next month and attend graduate school at Boston University—worries Hampshire’s closure might tarnish her academic record in the eyes of employers and others.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

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

Shares of gold miners have been in the dumps this month, as investors have expressed fears over how the Iran war will tarnish the value of the precious metal.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

"This truth cannot be changed by attempts to rewrite history and tarnish and devalue the struggle of the people of Kosovo for freedom."

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Its beauty was like to that of common silver, but the beauty of mithril did not tarnish or grow dim.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Related Words

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