WordGarden.iotarnish
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɑːnɪʃ/
US
- /ˈtɑrnɪʃ/
Meanings
Verb
to make or become less shiny or discolored, especially on metal
to damage the reputation or good name of someone or something
Noun
a dull film or discoloration that forms on metal
a stain on someone's reputation or honor
Beyond the definition
Just like silver can lose its shine and develop a dull coating, things beyond metal can also be affected in a similar way. A good reputation can be harmed by bad behavior, meaning it loses some of the respect people had for it. Think of it as something once bright becoming dim over time, whether in a real, physical sense or in a more figurative one. You might polish silver to make it shine again, but fixing a damaged reputation is much harder.
The word originally referred to the dulling or discoloration of metals. Now we use it more broadly. False accusations can harm someone's good name, and an ugly scandal can spoil a proud family story. In each case, the idea is the same: something valued loses some of its original shine and is marked in a negative way.
To tarnish means to lose luster, become dull or stained, or have a good reputation damaged. The word first referred to metals such as silver, which gradually lose their shine when exposed to air. Over time, the meaning expanded, and now it is also used in a figurative way for people, names, memories, or achievements that lose some of their former brightness or honor. For example: "The scandal tarnished his political career," meaning it damaged his reputation and weakened his future prospects.
Metal can tarnish in a direct, physical sense: if you leave silverware unpolished, it may slowly become dull over time. But the word is also often used for less visible damage. A family's legacy might be tarnished by the actions of one member, or a cherished memory can be tarnished by new information that casts doubt on what people believed before.
Tarnishing often suggests a gradual decline rather than sudden destruction. Something once admired becomes marked by flaw, doubt, or disgrace. Think of a beautiful antique slowly losing its shine, or a hero's image being worn down by scandal.
So whether you're talking about metal, memories, or reputations, to tarnish is to reduce something's shine or good standing and leave a mark that is not easy to remove. It points to a loss that may seem subtle at first, but can matter a great deal.
Examples
- 1
Metal care
Silver bracelets can tarnish if you leave them in a damp place.
- 2
Cleaning
She polished the old trophy until the tarnish was gone.
- 3
Reputation
The scandal quickly tarnished the company's reputation.
- 4
Sports scandal
His brilliant season was tarnished by a failed drug test.
- Patterntarnished by + bad event
made less admirable because of it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Personal reputation
Even after he apologized, the incident left a tarnish on his name.
- Phraseleave a tarnish on someone's name
damage how people think about them
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- tarnishnounverb
Forms
- tarnishedpast tenseverbnoun
- tarnishing-ing formverbnoun
- tarnishesverbnoun