tarnish
Americanverb (used with object)
-
tarnishes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
tarnished,
past participle, past
-
tarnishing
present participle
verb (used without object)
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tarnishes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
tarnished,
past participle, past
-
tarnishing
present participle
-
to grow dull or discolored; lose luster.
-
to become sullied.
noun
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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
Derived Forms
-
tarnishernoun
-
antitarnishadjective
-
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
-
untarnishingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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tarnishsimple
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tarnishessimple
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have tarnishedperfect
-
has tarnishedperfect
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am tarnishingprogressive
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are tarnishingprogressive
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is tarnishingprogressive
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have been tarnishingperfect progressive
-
has been tarnishingperfect progressive
Past
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tarnishedsimple
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had tarnishedperfect
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was tarnishingprogressive
-
were tarnishingprogressive
-
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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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.
See Examples For:
"People have generally thought gold doesn't tarnish simply because it doesn't interact strongly with oxygen," said Matthew Montemore, associate professor in Chemical Engineering in Tulane's School of Science and Engineering.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026
Twisha's father said it was an attempt to tarnish his daughter's name.
From BBC ● May 21, 2026
It said the total area corresponded to "only 0.18 percent of Turkey's surface area", denouncing efforts to "tarnish the mining sector".
From Barron's ● May 15, 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
I pull out my pendant and rub it on my clothes to clean off the tarnish, but it leaves black streaks.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
"Dubai was often talked about a bit like Switzerland, so this inevitably tarnishes that image."
From Barron's ● Mar. 1, 2026
“House of Diggs” is unsparing in its portrait of the corruption that tarnishes its subject’s memory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2025
“The actions of this deputy are alarming and inexcusable; he not only tarnishes his badge but also undermines the integrity and credibility of the entire department,” said Sheriff Shannon Dicus in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2024
"The SNP press office should retract this shameful attack which tarnishes the work both parties have done behind the scenes on this important issue."
From BBC ● Nov. 20, 2023
The fair buildings were complete and all exhibits were in place, but just as surely as silver tarnishes, the fair became subject to the inevitable forces of degradation and decline—and tragedy.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Boeing will mark another step in a marathon comeback Friday when it commemorates expanded production of the 737 MAX, now an aircraft in heavy demand after earlier disasters tarnished the company's reputation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
And once tarnished, a brand rarely fully recovers.
From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026
Since then, other revelations have further tarnished the legacy of the Chicano labor and civil rights leader long considered a secular saint.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
Gates has said he travelled with Epstein on a private jet - one of those facts that have haunted many who have been tarnished by Epstein.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
If the fair failed, Burnham knew, the nation’s honor would be tarnished, Chicago humiliated, and his own firm dealt a crushing blow.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Now, researchers at Tulane University have uncovered an important reason why the precious metal remains so resistant to tarnishing.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026
Subtle localization—without tarnishing the brands’ global image—has been central to recent success, analysts told Barron’s.
From Barron's ● Mar. 7, 2026
However, the government has criticised their portrayal as aimed at tarnishing the country's image, insisting the country is safe.
From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025
I learned that oiling the blade prevents humidity from tarnishing the steel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 23, 2025
"Yes, if the rate of tarnishing doesn't increase."
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
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.
