blacken
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for blacken, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make something black or turn black.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use blacken
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
blacken someone's name
blackened salmon
Etymology
From Middle English blaknen, formed from black plus the verb-forming suffix -en.
Full origin of blacken →Frequently asked questions
What does “blacken” mean?
The word “blacken” means to make something black or turn black. In plain terms, to turn something black, to damage a reputation, or to sear food in hot spices.
How do you pronounce “blacken”?
“Blacken” is pronounced BLA-kuhn (/ˈblækən/ in IPA).
How do you use “blacken” in a sentence?
Here is “blacken” used in a sentence: “Smoke blackened the ceiling above the fireplace.”
What is another word for “blacken”?
Words with a similar meaning to “blacken” include black, black up, blackwash, blatch, bletch and denigrate.
What part of speech is “blacken”?
“Blacken” is a verb.
Where does the word “blacken” come from?
The word “blacken” comes from Middle English. From Middle English blaknen, formed from black plus the verb-forming suffix -en.
How many meanings does “blacken” have?
“Blacken” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something black or turn black.
