whiten

[hwahyt-n, wahyt-n]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become white.

   Antonyms: blacken

whiten

/ ˈwaɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become white or whiter; bleach

Other Word Forms

• unwhitened adjective
• whitening noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiten¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English whitenen; white, -en ¹

Synonym Study

Whiten, blanch, bleach mean to make or become white. To whiten implies giving a white color or appearance by putting a substance of some kind on the outside: to whiten shoes. To blanch implies taking away natural or original color throughout: to blanch celery by growing it in the dark. To bleach implies making white by placing in (sun) light or by using chemicals: to bleach linen, hair.

Example Sentences

With shelves full of whitening, charcoal, and enamel-boosting pastes, it's easy to assume the pricier options will give you a healthier smile.

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Kellie Howson, 54, who lost four teeth after she paid £65 for a whitening treatment at a beauty salon in Lancaster, urged the public to be aware of the dangers.

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In food, calcium phosphate is used as a whitening agent.

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Directors and producers coached her to use whitening creams.

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If you're undertaking a home whitening process, sparkling water might discolor your teeth.

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Related Words

• bleach