tarnish

¹tar·nish

verb \ˈtär-nish\

Definition of TARNISH

transitive verb

1

: to dull or destroy the luster of by or as if by air, dust, or dirt : soil, stain

2

a : to detract from the good quality of : vitiate <his fine dreams now slightly tarnished> b : to bring disgrace on : sully <the scandal has tarnished his reputation>

intransitive verb

: to become tarnished

— tar·nish·able \-ni-shə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of TARNISH

1. Some foods will tarnish silver.
2. The scandal tarnished his reputation.

Origin of TARNISH

Middle English ternysshen, from Middle French terniss-, stem of ternir, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German tarnan to hide

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TARNISH

Synonyms: blemish, darken, mar, poison, spoil, stain, taint, touch, vitiate

Related Words: begrime, besmear, besmirch, blacken, blur, cloud, dirty, discolor, pollute, smear, smirch, smudge, smut, soil, sully, tar; abase, cheapen, debase, degrade, demean, discredit, disgrace, dishonor, foul, lower, shame, sink; bastardize, corrupt, debauch, demoralize, deprave, pervert, subvert; color, distort, twist

Near Antonyms: cleanse, purify; dignify, elevate, ennoble, enshrine, glorify, hallow, magnify, uplift

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Rhymes with TARNISH

garnish, varnish