Whiten: meaning, definitions and examples

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whiten

[ˈwaɪtən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

teeth

To whiten means to make something white or whiter, especially by using a chemical or bleach. It is commonly used in the context of teeth whitening.

Synonyms

bleach, brighten, lighten.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
whiten	Used to describe the process or act of making something white or whiter, often applied to teeth or skin in a neutral manner. She used a special toothpaste to whiten her teeth. The dermatologist recommended a cream to help whiten the dark spots.
bleach	Typically refers to the use of a chemical substance to remove color, particularly for cleaning or disinfecting purposes. It can have a negative connotation when referring to excessive or harmful use. She bleached the stains out of the white shirt. Be careful not to bleach the fabric too much, it might get damaged.
lighten	Refers to making something less dark in color or heavy in weight. It can be used for both physical objects and metaphorically for mood or atmosphere. They decided to lighten the color of the bedroom walls. Her kind words helped to lighten his burden.
brighten	Usually means to make something more vivid or luminous, enhancing its color or light. Often used in a positive sense to describe making a room, an image, or someone’s mood more cheerful. He added a fresh coat of paint to brighten the living room. Her smile always seems to brighten up the day.

Examples of usage

My dentist recommended a special toothpaste to help whiten my teeth.
She used a whitening strip to whiten her teeth before the wedding.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

laundry

To whiten can also refer to the process of making something white or whiter, such as clothes or fabrics, by using a detergent or bleach.

Synonyms

bleach, cleanse, purify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
whiten	Typically used when referring to making something visibly whiter or more reflective. Often associated with teeth, laundry, or photographs. She used a special toothpaste to whiten her teeth. The new detergent promises to whiten your clothes.
bleach	Used specifically for cleaning, disinfecting, or removing color. Commonly associated with strong chemicals that sanitize or lighten surfaces, hair, or fabrics. Can have a negative connotation if overused or misused. He used bleach to clean the bathroom tiles. She decided to bleach her hair to change its color.
cleanse	Refers to thorough cleaning, often with the implication of removing impurities or toxins. Frequently used in skincare, health, or spiritual contexts. She used a gentle lotion to cleanse her face. They performed a ritual to cleanse their spirits.
purify	Implies making something pure by removing harmful substances, dirt, or contaminants. Commonly used for water, air, or religious/spiritual contexts. The filter can purify water from natural sources. They said a prayer to purify their minds and hearts.

Examples of usage

She added bleach to the laundry to help whiten the white clothes.
Using a whitening agent can help whiten your white linens.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'whiten' comes from the Old English term 'hwita', which means 'white'.
The suffix '-en' is used in Old English to turn a color into a verb, meaning 'to make white'.
In some historical texts, 'whiten' was used not just for colors, but also to describe the process of making something pure or innocent.

Psychology

Colors can affect mood; 'whiten' is often associated with feelings of cleanliness and peace.
In color psychology, white represents purity, simplicity, and new beginnings, making it a popular choice in design.
Research shows that people often associate the color white with positive traits such as safety and hygiene.

Art

Whiten is often used in painting techniques where artists blend colors to create lighter shades and highlights.
In photography, techniques to whiten highlights can improve contrast and emphasize subjects in an image.
White acrylic paint can be mixed with other colors to create softer tones, showing the versatility of 'whiten' in artistic expression.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, wearing white symbolizes purity and is a popular color for weddings and celebrations.
Whiten is used metaphorically in literature to represent goodness, innocence, or a fresh start, often contrasting with darker elements.
Historically, in fashion, 'whiten' symbolized wealth and status, as maintaining white clothing was quite challenging and costly.

Science

In chemistry, substances can 'whiten' materials by reflecting more light, leading them to appear brighter.
Certain whitening agents in products help to remove stains from fabrics, showing the practical applications of the concept.
The process of 'whitening' in botany can refer to certain plant adaptations where leaves reflect more sunlight to survive in intense environments.

Translations

Translations of the word "whiten" in other languages:

🇵🇹 branquear

🇮🇳 सफेद करना (safed karna)

🇩🇪 weißen

🇮🇩 memutihkan

🇺🇦 білити

🇵🇱 bielić

🇯🇵 白くする (shiroku suru)

🇫🇷 blanchir

🇪🇸 blanquear

🇹🇷 beyazlatmak

🇰🇷 희게 하다 (huige hada)

🇸🇦 تبييض (tabyid)

🇨🇿 bělit

🇸🇰 bieliť

🇨🇳 漂白 (piǎobái)

🇸🇮 beliti

🇮🇸 hvítta

🇰🇿 ақтау

🇬🇪 გათეთრება (gatetra)

🇦🇿 ağartmaq

🇲🇽 blanquear

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,894 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
31891 tangerine
31892 covey
31893 unimportance
31894 whiten
31895 bumbling
31896 hymnal
31897 brainwashed
...