What does whiten mean?
Whiten is a verb meaning to make something white or lighter in colour, or to become white or pale. Its most familiar use is in descriptions of products and procedures intended to whiten teeth, although the verb can apply to any surface, including fabric, bones, wood, or paint. In its transitive form, whiten implies a change from a darker or stained appearance towards white; in its intransitive form, it describes a gradual whitening, as when snow covers a landscape or sunlight fades a colour. The word can also have a figurative sense connected with making someone or something seem blameless, though “whitewash” is now more usual for this meaning. Whiten is generally neutral and widely used in British and American English, ranging from practical descriptions of household and cosmetic products to more literary descriptions of natural or visual effects.
verbTo make something white or lighter in colour, especially by bleaching or applying a whitening product. It can also mean to become white or pale.
- To make something white or lighter in colour.
- To become white or pale.
"The toothpaste is designed to whiten teeth by removing surface stains."
"Over time, the sun had begun to whiten the old wooden fence."
"The waves whitened as they broke against the shore."
Whiten is a literal instruction in a tube of toothpaste: make this white again.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does whiten come from?
The verb dates from the 16th century and is formed from “white” with the verbal suffix “-en,” giving it the literal sense of making white. The words “white,” “whit,” and “whitewash” belong to the same broad English word family. English “white” has relatives in other Germanic languages, including German “weiß” and Dutch “wit,” although the deeper prehistoric origin of the Germanic form is uncertain.
Related word forms
How whiten is actually used
The word is commonly transitive, as in “whiten teeth,” but it can also be intransitive to describe something becoming white or pale. Its figurative use, such as whitening a person's reputation, is less common and can suggest an attempt to conceal faults or make something appear innocent.
Easily confused with whiten
Bleaching generally removes colour or stains through a chemical process, whereas whitening can describe making something whiter by any suitable means.
Whitening makes a surface lighter or white, while brightening usually makes something more luminous or appealing without necessarily changing its colour.