Whiteness: meaning, definitions and examples

Used generally to describe the quality or state of being white. It can be used in various contexts such as art, nature, or to describe a general characteristic.

• The whiteness of the snow was breathtaking.
• She admired the whiteness of the newly painted walls.

Used to describe an unhealthy or unnatural pale appearance in the skin, often due to illness or shock. This term has a negative connotation.

• His pallor indicated that he was not feeling well.
• The pallor on her face was unmistakable after hearing the bad news.

Used specifically in medical or biological contexts to describe a condition where there is an absence of melanin, resulting in very pale skin, hair, and eyes.

• Albinism is a genetic condition that affects the pigmentation of the skin.
• Animals with albinism are very rare in the wild.

Typically used to describe something that has been whitened or lightened by chemicals or exposure to sunlight. Often used in the context of hair, cloth, and other materials.

• She bleached her hair blonde last summer.
• The fabric was bleached to achieve its pure white color.

Use this term when describing the attribute of being white or the concept relating to white people as a group, often in discussions about race and social dynamics.

• The concept of whiteness in society shapes many aspects of cultural expectations.
• She examined the role of whiteness in the workplace.

This term is often used in formal or academic contexts to describe people of European descent. It is sometimes considered outdated or insensitive.

• The form requested my ethnicity and I selected 'Caucasian'.
• The study included participants of Caucasian descent.

This is a straightforward term used in casual and formal language to describe an individual of European descent.

• He is the first white person in his family to marry an Asian partner.
• A white person participated in the conversation about diversity.

Use this term to describe a perspective that prioritizes European culture and norms, often to the exclusion or detriment of other cultures.

• The history curriculum was criticized for being too Eurocentric.
• Her views on beauty are quite Eurocentric.