whiten

[ hwahyt-n, wahyt-n ]
/ ˈʰwaɪt n, ˈwaɪt n /

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become white.

Origin of whiten

1250–1300; Middle English whitenen; see white, -en1

SYNONYMS FOR whiten

Whiten, blanch, bleach mean to make or become white. To whiten implies giving a white color or appearance by putting a substance of some kind on the outside: to whiten shoes. To blanch implies taking away natural or original color throughout: to blanch celery by growing it in the dark. To bleach implies making white by placing in (sun) light or by using chemicals: to bleach linen, hair.

OTHER WORDS FROM whiten

un·whit·ened, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for whiten

British Dictionary definitions for whiten

whiten
/ (ˈwaɪtən) /

verb

to make or become white or whiter; bleach

Derived forms of whiten

whitening, noun