English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

adj

tarnished

TAHR-nihsht

Tarnished (adj) means Discoloured or dulled, especially of metal. Example: “The tarnished brass handles needed a good clean.”

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adj

1

Discoloured or dulled, especially of metal.

"The tarnished brass handles needed a good clean."

2

Damaged in reputation; dishonoured.

"He became a tarnished figure after the corruption allegations."

How to use tarnished

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDulled by exposure to air (metal) or damaged in standing/reputation (a person, brand, image).

Common pairings

tarnished reputation tarnished image

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

more tarnished comparative, most tarnished superlative

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The _____ brass handles needed a good clean.

Rhymes for tarnished

fished famished vanished polished punished finished banished cherished furnished published nourished anguished

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Frequently asked questions

What does “tarnished” mean?

The word “tarnished” means discoloured or dulled, especially of metal. In plain terms, dulled by exposure to air (metal) or damaged in standing/reputation (a person, brand, image).

How do you pronounce “tarnished”?

“Tarnished” is pronounced TAHR-nihsht (/ˈtɑɹnɪʃt/ in IPA).

How do you use “tarnished” in a sentence?

Here is “tarnished” used in a sentence: “The tarnished brass handles needed a good clean.”

What part of speech is “tarnished”?

“Tarnished” is an adjective.

How many meanings does “tarnished” have?

“Tarnished” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: discoloured or dulled, especially of metal.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial