What does white mean?
White is a basic English colour word describing the light, largely hue-free colour associated with snow, milk, paper, and many pale fabrics. It can also describe a pale complexion, something considered pure or innocent, and a political position associated with conservatism. In demographic, historical, and political language, white may designate a racial category, usually referring to people of European ancestry; this use is factually important but socially sensitive, and the noun meaning a person of that category can sound dated or offensive in some contexts. As a countable noun, white can denote the colour itself, a white pigment, or occasionally a person. As a verb, it means to make something white, though whiten is more usual. White occurs in familiar expressions such as white lie, white flag, white elephant, and black and white. Its combination of ordinary descriptive force and prominent social meaning makes it one of the most consequential everyday colour terms.
Having the colour of milk, snow, or light and largely lacking other hues. It can also describe something pale, pure, innocent, politically conservative, or belonging to a racial category designated as white.
"She wore a white cotton shirt and a dark green scarf."
The racial sense is common in demographic and political language but should be used with awareness of context and historical associations.
The colour associated with snow, milk, and light; a white pigment or material. In social and political contexts, it can also denote a person regarded as belonging to a racial category identified as white.
"The palette is made of cool whites and charcoal."
The noun meaning a member of a racial category is sensitive and can sound dated or offensive depending on context.
To make or become white.
"Could you white these yellowed shirts?"
This verb is relatively uncommon; whiten is more usual in formal writing.
The plural can refer to people of a racial category designated as white, but that use may sound dated or offensive in some contexts. It can also refer to different white colours or materials.
"The design includes several whites, from ivory to cool gray."
White was once a word for brightness and brilliance—not merely the absence of colour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does white come from?
The English word descends from Old English hwīt, meaning white, bright, or shining. It developed from Proto-Germanic *hwītą and is generally connected with an Indo-European root associated with shining or brightness. Its Germanic relatives include German weiß, Dutch wit, Old Norse hvít, and Swedish vit, reflecting a shared ancestral word for whiteness or brightness.
Related word forms
How white is actually used
White is generally neutral as a colour term. As a racial designation, it is widely used in demographic and historical contexts, but the noun for a person can sound dated, racialized, or offensive depending on the speaker, audience, and formulation; more specific terms may be preferable.
Easily confused with white
White describes a colour or an adjective related to brightness, whereas wide means having a great extent from one side to the other.