What does yellowing mean?
Yellowing describes the process of becoming or turning yellow. In its most common use, it refers to the gradual discoloration associated with age, weather, light, or chemical change: old paper yellows, painted surfaces develop yellowing, and autumn leaves yellow before falling. The word can function as a verb, as in “the photographs are yellowing,” or as an adjective, as in “yellowing leaves.” “The yellowing of the walls” uses it as a noun naming a process rather than a single event. Yellowing is often neutral, but when the discoloration results from neglect, poor storage, or deterioration, it can imply decay. The word is especially associated with paper, photographs, fabrics, paint, and natural foliage, where changes in color make the passage of time or exposure to environmental conditions visible.
To become or turn yellow, especially through age, exposure to light, or chemical deterioration.
"The varnish is yellowing around the edges."
Usually intransitive.
Becoming or turning yellow; yellowed or subject to yellowing.
"The conservators examined the yellowing pages under low light."
Commonly used before nouns such as pages, leaves, photographs, or paint.
The process of turning or becoming yellow, especially through aging or deterioration.
"The yellowing of the paper was accelerated by humidity."
Usually uncountable and most natural in constructions such as “the yellowing of” or “signs of yellowing.”
Rare and uncommon; the process is normally treated as uncountable.
"Several separate yellowings appeared on the exposed pages."
Old paper can become its own timepiece: as its organic components oxidize and deteriorate, the yellowing makes age physically visible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does yellowing come from?
Yellowing was formed in English by adding the productive -ing suffix to yellow. Yellow comes from Old English ġeolu and is related to cognates such as German gelb and Swedish gul, all descending from a common Germanic color word. The English -ing form developed from Old English -ing and functions as both a present participle and, in some contexts, a verbal noun.
Related word forms
How yellowing is actually used
The term is generally neutral and descriptive, though it often suggests aging or deterioration. As a present participle, it may perform a verb function (“the paper is yellowing”) or an adjectival function (“yellowing leaves”). The related noun is usually uncountable.
Easily confused with yellowing
Yellowing means becoming or turning yellow, whereas yelling means shouting loudly.