English Explanatory Dictionary

tarnish

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun

Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.

verb

To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
To compromise, damage, soil, or sully.
To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.
To use a sign, image, expression, etc. sufficiently close to a trademarked one that it brings disrepute to it.

Pronunciation

/ˈtɑːnɪʃ/ /ˈtɑɹnɪʃ/ en-us-tarnish.ogg

Word forms

tarnish tarnishes tarnishing tarnished

Etymology

From Middle English ternysshen, from Old French terniss-, stem of ternir (“to make dim, make wan”), borrowed from Old High German *ternen, tarnen, from Proto-West Germanic *darnijan (“to conceal”). Doublet of dern and darn.

Synonyms

oxidate oxygenize befoul inquinate denigrate blot assoil beclart bedaub bedirty imbrue (especially with blood) bedizen befile befilth begrime beray beshit besmear besmirch besully bewray blacken blur clat contaminate darken defile dirten dirty elt file foil foul gunk gunk up scunge sling mud slotter slur smear smirch smudge smut smutch soil soss sowl spot stain sullow sully tarnish uggle assassinate asperse backbite badmouth belibel blame blaze

Derived words

antitarnish nontarnish nontarnishing tarnishable tarnisher tarnishment tarnishproof

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