white
WYT
White (adj) means reflecting all wavelengths of visible light equally; having the colour of snow or milk. Example: “She painted the fence white to match the house.”
adj
1
Reflecting all wavelengths of visible light equally; having the colour of snow or milk.
"She painted the fence white to match the house."
"Clouds drifted across a pale white sky."
"He wore a crisp white shirt to the interview."
2
Pale, as from shock, fear, or illness.
"He went white when he heard the news."
"Her face turned white at the sight of blood."
"She turned white with fear as the lights went out."
noun
1
A member of a light-skinned population, especially one of European descent.
"The census asks people to identify as white, Black, Asian, or another category."
verb
1
To make something white; to whiten or bleach.
"She whited the old fence with a coat of paint before the party."
"The sun had whited the shells that lay along the empty beach."
"The walls had been whited over with fresh paint."
How to use white
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe colour of snow, milk, or a blank page — reflecting light rather than absorbing it.
Common mistake
As a noun for race, capitalisation and usage conventions vary by style guide — check house style before publishing.
Common pairings
white as snow
turn white
white noise
white wine
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- whites
- Past tense
- whited
- Comparative
- whiter, more white
- Superlative
- whitest, most white
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She painted the fence _____ to match the house.
Etymology
From Old English hwīt, going all the way back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "bright, shining" — the same root that gives related words for light and gleaming across many European languages.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for white
See all rhymes for white →Frequently asked questions
What does “white” mean?
The word “white” means reflecting all wavelengths of visible light equally; having the colour of snow or milk. In plain terms, the colour of snow, milk, or a blank page — reflecting light rather than absorbing it.
How do you pronounce “white”?
“White” is pronounced WYT (/ˈwaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “white” in a sentence?
Here is “white” used in a sentence: “She painted the fence white to match the house.”
What part of speech is “white”?
Depending on how it is used, “white” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “white” come from?
The word “white” comes from Old English. From Old English hwīt, going all the way back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "bright, shining" — the same root that gives related words for light and gleaming across many European languages.
Is “white” a common word?
“White” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “white” have?
“White” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: reflecting all wavelengths of visible light equally; having the colour of snow or milk.
What is the difference between white and black?
White and black are visual opposites. White reflects all wavelengths of visible light more or less equally, which is why it looks bright, like snow or milk. Black does the reverse, absorbing nearly all light and reflecting almost none, which is why it appears so dark.
Is white a colour?
It depends on how you look at it. In terms of light, white is all the colours of the spectrum combined, since it reflects every wavelength at once. In terms of paint or pigment, some call white a colour and others call it the absence of colour. Both views are common.
What is the opposite of white?
The opposite of white is black. White reflects nearly all visible light while black absorbs it, so the two sit at opposite ends of the light-and-dark scale. This strong contrast is why black text on a white page is so easy to read.
What is an example of something white?
Everyday white objects include snow, milk, chalk, fresh paper, and clouds. These are the classic reference points people reach for when describing the colour, which is why definitions of 'white' so often mention the colour of snow or milk as the clearest examples.
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