Whiteout: meaning, definitions and examples
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whiteout
[ ˈwaɪtaʊt ]
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
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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?
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
- ...
- 39756 tenser
- 39757 disobliged
- 39758 acclimating
- 39759 whiteout
- 39760 repulsively
- 39761 walloping
- 39762 extortionist
- ...