whiten

American  

[hwahyt-n, wahyt-n] / ˈʰwaɪt n, ˈwaɪt n /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become white.

   Antonyms:

   blacken

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whiten British  

/ ˈwaɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become white or whiter; bleach

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• unwhitened adjective
• whitening noun

Etymology

Origin of whiten

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

Example Sentences

Paper mills rely on it to whiten wood pulp.

From Salon

For example, you can whiten teeth with a single tap.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the import expo, it showcased a new whitening toothpaste for the Chinese market, developed at Crest’s Beijing research institute.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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.

From BBC

Related Words

• bleach