Pronunciation: /ˈtɑːrnɪʃ/

Definitions of tarnish

noun a thin layer of corrosion on a metal surface

Example Sentences

A1 I accidentally spilled coffee on my white shirt and now there is a tarnish on it.

A2 The tarnish on the silverware was difficult to remove.

B1 Leaving the metal jewelry in a humid environment can cause tarnish to develop.

B2 The reputation of the company was tarnished after the scandal.

C1 The politician's tarnish reputation made it difficult for them to win re-election.

C2 The tarnish on the antique mirror was carefully cleaned by a restoration expert.

verb to dull or damage the surface of something

Example Sentences

A1 I accidentally tarnished my favorite necklace by leaving it in the sun.

A2 The gossip about her past didn't tarnish her reputation in the community.

B1 The scandal tarnished the company's image and led to a decrease in sales.

B2 The politician's involvement in the corruption scandal tarnished his career and credibility.

C1 The artist's controversial statements tarnished his legacy and impact on the art world.

C2 The scandalous revelations tarnished the reputation of the once-respected organization.

Examples of tarnish in a Sentence

formal The silverware had begun to tarnish due to exposure to moisture.

informal I need to clean my jewelry before it starts to tarnish.

slang Don't let negative comments tarnish your self-esteem.

figurative The scandal threatened to tarnish the politician's reputation.

Grammatical Forms of tarnish

past tense

tarnished

plural

tarnishes

comparative

more tarnished

superlative

most tarnished

present tense

tarnish

future tense

will tarnish

perfect tense

have tarnished

continuous tense

is tarnishing

singular

tarnish

positive degree

tarnish

infinitive

tarnish

gerund

tarnishing

participle

tarnishing

Origin and Evolution of tarnish

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Old French
Story behind the word: The word 'tarnish' originated from the Old French term 'tarnir' meaning to make dull or dim.
Evolution of the word: Over time, 'tarnish' evolved to refer specifically to the dulling or discoloration of metal surfaces due to oxidation or corrosion.