noun Common

whites

wyts

Whites (noun) means White clothing worn as a uniform, such as a chef's jacket or cricket kit. Example: “The bowlers walked out onto the pitch in their whites.”

noun

White clothing worn as a uniform, such as a chef's jacket or cricket kit.

"The bowlers walked out onto the pitch in their whites."

"Chefs traditionally wear whites to signal cleanliness in the kitchen."

White laundry items, kept separate from coloured washing.

"Wash your whites in hot water to keep them bright."

How to use whites

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhite clothes, either as a uniform (cricket, chef's wear) or as a laundry category.

Common pairings

wash the whites cricket whites chef's whites

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The bowlers walked out onto the pitch in their _____.

Etymology

In reference to the ancient Roman and medieval Byzantine racing faction, a calque of Latin albī (“Whites”), albātī (“White-Clads”), factio alba (“the white faction”), or factio albata (“the white-clad faction”) and Byzantine Greek Λευκοὶ (Leukoì, “Whites”).

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for whites

Hypocrites

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Frequently asked questions

What does “whites” mean?

The word “whites” means white clothing worn as a uniform, such as a chef's jacket or cricket kit. In plain terms, white clothes, either as a uniform (cricket, chef's wear) or as a laundry category.

How do you pronounce “whites”?

“Whites” is pronounced wyts (/(h)waɪts/ in IPA).

How do you use “whites” in a sentence?

Here is “whites” used in a sentence: “The bowlers walked out onto the pitch in their whites.”

What part of speech is “whites”?

“Whites” is a noun.

Is “whites” a common word?

“Whites” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “whites” have?

“Whites” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: white clothing worn as a uniform, such as a chef's jacket or cricket kit.

What are whites in laundry?

In laundry, whites are white or near-white items — shirts, sheets, socks, underwear — that are washed separately from coloured clothing. Keeping whites apart prevents dye from darker garments bleeding onto them and allows hotter washes or whitening products.

Why should you wash whites separately from colours?

Washing whites separately prevents dye transfer from coloured fabrics, which can leave white items looking grey, pink, or dingy. Separating them also lets you use higher temperatures and bleach-based detergents that would fade or damage coloured clothes.

What are cricket whites and chef's whites?

Both are white clothing worn as a uniform. Cricket whites are the traditional white or cream shirt and trousers worn in the longer formats of cricket, while chef's whites are the white jacket and workwear worn in professional kitchens. In each case, whites refers to the uniform as a whole.

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Words that start with W