noun
tarnish
TAH-nihsh
Tarnish (noun) means a dull discoloured film that forms on the surface of a metal, especially one exposed to air. Example: “She polished away the tarnish on the old silver spoons.”
noun
1
A dull discoloured film that forms on the surface of a metal, especially one exposed to air.
"She polished away the tarnish on the old silver spoons."
verb
1
(of metal) To become dull or discoloured through exposure to air.
"Silver jewelry tarnishes quickly if left in a damp drawer."
2
To damage or spoil someone's reputation or image.
"The scandal tarnished the senator's reputation for years."
"One bad review can tarnish an otherwise solid track record."
How to use tarnish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lose shine (of metal) or to damage a reputation (of a person or brand).
Common pairings
tarnish a reputation
start to tarnish
tarnished silver
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Word forms
- Plural
- tarnishes
- Third person singular
- tarnishes
- Past tense
- tarnished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She polished away the _____ on the old silver spoons.
Etymology
From Old French ternir, meaning to make dim or dull, ultimately traced to a Germanic root meaning to conceal.
Related words
Rhymes for tarnish
See all rhymes for tarnish →Frequently asked questions
What does “tarnish” mean?
The word “tarnish” means a dull discoloured film that forms on the surface of a metal, especially one exposed to air. In plain terms, to lose shine (of metal) or to damage a reputation (of a person or brand).
How do you pronounce “tarnish”?
“Tarnish” is pronounced TAH-nihsh (/ˈtɑɹnɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tarnish” in a sentence?
Here is “tarnish” used in a sentence: “She polished away the tarnish on the old silver spoons.”
What part of speech is “tarnish”?
Depending on how it is used, “tarnish” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tarnish” come from?
The word “tarnish” comes from Old French. From Old French ternir, meaning to make dim or dull, ultimately traced to a Germanic root meaning to conceal.
How many meanings does “tarnish” have?
“Tarnish” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dull discoloured film that forms on the surface of a metal, especially one exposed to air.
