whiten

verb

whit·​en ˈ(h)wī-tᵊn 

whitened; whitening ˈ(h)wīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make white or whiter

snow whitened the hills

intransitive verb

: to become white or whiter

Synonyms

• blanch
• bleach
• blench
• decolorize
• dull
• fade
• pale
• snow
• wash out

Examples of whiten in a Sentence

His hair whitened as he aged.

Bleach will whiten the linens.

The new toothpaste whitens teeth.

Recent Examples on the Web

If, however, there is still a scratch after routine cleaning, a paste of baking soda and water or white toothpaste that does not contain any bleaching or whitening agents can be used to remove scuffs from leather. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024

From portable steamers and teeth whitening kits to travel pillows and toiletry bottles—here are the 13 Amazon travel essentials our readers were after. —Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 July 2024

What Glamour editors are adding to their carts Our shopping team's personal carts are filled with everyday basics that are usually on the pricier end like whitening strips and Supergoop! —Jenifer Calle, Glamour, 17 July 2024

Amazon shoppers who have purchased these whitening strips in the past month. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English whitenen, from white white entry 1 + -nen -en entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

whiten

verb

whit·​en ˈhwīt-ᵊn 

ˈwīt-

whitened; whitening -ᵊn-iŋ 

-niŋ

: to make or become white or whiter

whitener

-nər

-ᵊn-ər

noun