Whiteout: meaning, definitions and examples

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whiteout

 

[ ˈwaɪtaʊt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

weather condition

A whiteout is a weather condition in which visibility is greatly reduced due to falling or blowing snow. It is often accompanied by strong winds and can make it difficult or impossible to see clearly, leading to dangerous driving conditions.

Synonyms

blizzard, snowstorm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
whiteout

This term is commonly used to describe a weather condition where visibility is severely reduced due to snow and high winds. It often implies that you can barely see anything because everything is white.

  • Driving in a whiteout can be extremely dangerous.
  • The hikers were caught in a whiteout and couldn't find their way back.
blizzard

The term 'blizzard' is used when referring to a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds and heavy snowfall. It's often used in weather forecasts and can have a dramatic, potentially life-threatening connotation.

  • The blizzard lasted for three days, causing widespread power outages.
  • Schools were closed due to the approaching blizzard.
snowstorm

A general term for a storm that produces a significant amount of snow. This term is less dramatic than 'blizzard' and not necessarily associated with strong winds.

  • The snowstorm left a foot of snow on the ground overnight.
  • We decided to stay indoors to avoid the snowstorm.

Examples of usage

  • The mountain climbers were caught in a whiteout and had to huddle together for warmth.
  • Due to the whiteout, the highway was closed until the snowplows could clear the road.
Context #2 | Noun

correction fluid

Whiteout is a type of correction fluid used to cover mistakes in written or printed documents. It is typically white in color and dries quickly to allow for rewriting over the corrected area.

Synonyms

correction fluid, liquid paper.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
whiteout

This term is a brand name that has become synonymous with correction fluid. It is often used in casual conversation, especially in the US.

  • She borrowed my whiteout to fix her homework mistake.
  • You can find whiteout in many school supply lists.
correction fluid

Commonly used to describe the liquid substance applied to paper to cover mistakes in written or printed text. This term is more straightforward and widely understood.

  • She accidentally wrote the wrong number and had to use correction fluid to fix it.
  • Correction fluid can be a lifesaver for small errors on important documents.
liquid paper

Refers to a specific brand of correction fluid, but it can also be used generically to describe any correction fluid. It’s a bit like using 'Kleenex' to refer to tissues.

  • He reached for the liquid paper to cover up his typo.
  • Liquid paper is often found in office supply kits for quick corrections.

Examples of usage

  • She used whiteout to fix the spelling error in her essay.
  • The secretary always kept a bottle of whiteout on her desk for quick corrections.

Translations

Translations of the word "whiteout" in other languages:

🇵🇹 apagamento

🇮🇳 सफेदी

🇩🇪 Weißabgleich

🇮🇩 pemutihan

🇺🇦 білий

🇵🇱 wymazanie

🇯🇵 ホワイトアウト

🇫🇷 blanc

🇪🇸 blanquear

🇹🇷 beyazlatmak

🇰🇷 화이트아웃

🇸🇦 تبييض

🇨🇿 vymazání

🇸🇰 vymazanie

🇨🇳 白化

🇸🇮 izbris

🇮🇸 hvítt út

🇰🇿 ағарту

🇬🇪 თეთრად

🇦🇿 ağartma

🇲🇽 blanquear

Etymology

The term 'whiteout' originated in the early 20th century, combining the words 'white' and 'out' to describe the complete whiteness and loss of visibility experienced during a snowstorm. In the context of correction fluid, 'whiteout' became popular in the mid-20th century with the invention of products like Liquid Paper.

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

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,759, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.