White: meaning, definitions and examples

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white

 

[ waɪt ]

Context #1 | Noun

color

of the color of milk or fresh snow, due to the reflection of most wavelengths of visible light; the opposite of black.

Synonyms

ivory, pale, snowy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
white

Generally used to describe the color that reflects light without absorbing any, such as in objects, clothing, and descriptions of purity or simplicity.

  • She wore a white dress to the wedding.
  • The walls are painted in a bright white.
ivory

Often used to describe a shade of white that resembles the color of ivory, which is slightly off-white with a hint of cream. Common in fashion, interior design, and wedding contexts.

  • The bride chose an ivory gown for her special day.
  • The room was decorated with ivory curtains and a matching carpet.
snowy

Refers to something that looks like snow or is covered with snow. It can describe the pure, brilliant whiteness often associated with fresh snowfall and is sometimes used poetically.

  • The mountain peaks were snowy and majestic.
  • They walked through the snowy park.
pale

Describes a light or faint color. Can refer to a light shade of any color but often used with whites and pastels. It can also describe someone's complexion if they are looking sick or lacking color.

  • Her skin was pale from the cold.

Examples of usage

  • It's a beautiful white dress she's wearing.
  • The room was painted in a crisp white color.
  • The snow outside was pure white and glistening in the sun.
Context #2 | Noun

race

a person belonging to a light-skinned people, especially one of European descent.

Synonyms

Caucasian, European, pale-skinned.

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Word Description / Examples
white

Repeated word 'white' already explained earlier.

Caucasian

This term is more formal and often used in official, medical, or legal contexts. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation.

  • The police identified the suspect as Caucasian.
  • Caucasian individuals often have a lower risk for certain health conditions.
European

This word refers to people from Europe and is not specifically about skin color. It emphasizes geographical, cultural, or ethnic origin.

  • She is of European descent.
  • European traditions differ across countries.
pale-skinned

This word is descriptive and focuses on the lightness of someone's skin. It is a neutral term, often used to specifically describe skin tone.

  • The model has pale-skinned complexion.
  • She got sunburned easily because she is pale-skinned.

Examples of usage

  • She is of white descent.
  • The company aims to promote diversity by hiring more people of color.
Context #3 | Noun

blank space

a blank space or a character representing such a space, used to separate words or other elements in writing.

Synonyms

gap, interval, space.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
white

As this is a repetition, refer to the first 'white'.

  • N/A
space

Used to describe an area that is free or unoccupied, or the concept of the physical universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

  • Can you make some space on the table?
  • Astronauts train for years to go to space.
gap

Often used to refer to a physical or metaphorical space between two things, which can be filled or closed.

  • There is a gap between the two buildings.
  • Mind the gap between the train and the platform.
  • The generation gap is more evident in their attitudes towards technology.
interval

Commonly used to describe a period of time between events, or the physical distance between items in a sequence.

  • There will be a ten-minute interval between the two parts of the play.
  • The study sessions were divided by short intervals.

Examples of usage

  • The sentence should be typed with a space between each word.
  • Please fill in the blanks with the appropriate words.

Translations

Translations of the word "white" in other languages:

🇵🇹 branco

🇮🇳 सफ़ेद

🇩🇪 weiß

🇮🇩 putih

🇺🇦 білий

🇵🇱 biały

🇯🇵 白い

🇫🇷 blanc

🇪🇸 blanco

🇹🇷 beyaz

🇰🇷 흰색

🇸🇦 أبيض

🇨🇿 bílý

🇸🇰 biely

🇨🇳 白色

🇸🇮 bela

🇮🇸 hvítur

🇰🇿 ақ

🇬🇪 თეთრი

🇦🇿 

🇲🇽 blanco

Etymology

The word 'white' originated from the Old English word 'hwīt', which is akin to the Old Frisian 'hwīt', Old High German 'hwīz', and the Gothic 'hweits'. The concept of white as a color has been associated with purity, innocence, and light in various cultures throughout history. White has also been symbolic in different contexts, such as weddings (white dress symbolizing purity) and peace (white flag as a symbol of surrender).

See also: whiten, whitened, whitener, whiteness, whitening, whiteout, whiter, whitewater.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #384, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.