bleach

1 of 2

verb

bleached; bleaching; bleaches

transitive verb

1
: to remove color or stains from
2
a
: to make whiter or lighter especially by physical or chemical removal of color
bleach clothing
the sun had bleached her hair
b
: to remove, make dull, or sanitize as if by removing color
bleaches colonialism of its genocidal legacyH. A. Giroux

intransitive verb

1
: to grow white or lose color
2
of coral : to expel symbiotic zooxanthellae exposing a white skeleton
bleachable adjective

bleach

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act or process of bleaching
2
: a preparation used in bleaching
3
: the degree of whiteness obtained by bleaching

Examples of bleach in a Sentence

Verb bones bleached white by the sun She bleached her hair blonde.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
On Dance Moms, Jessalyn leaned into the role of cutthroat stage mother — bleaching her daughter’s hair, crafting her trademark handmade bows, and often getting into intense confrontations with dance instructor Abby Lee Miller. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2024 The foundation has recorded seven mass bleaching events between 1998 and 2022 due to rising ocean temperatures. Elliana Hebert, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024 According to Healthline, in-office whitening uses higher concentrations of bleaching agents for quicker results compared to over-the-counter products. USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024 The main thing to avoid is a full moon, which bleaches the night sky. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024 Although the model previously bleached her brows in the spring of 2022, this new look is enhanced by her long, lavender gray locks. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024 As someone who once applied lemon juice to bleach my freckles, that affection is a funny thing to contemplate. Megan Nolan, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2024 The Essence used to prep the skin, the character-like models’ eyebrows were bleached, with pencil-thin arches drawn on top of hidden brows. Essence, 2 Feb. 2024 Sunseeker also used quality materials throughout, with high-end finishes like carbon fiber, Calacatta quartz, bleached oak and stainless steel. Howard Walker, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024
Noun
The luxury line offers six eco-friendly products: detergent, an oxygen bleach alternative, fabric softener, fabric refresher spray, stain remover and wool dryer balls. Hannah Chubb, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Clean and disinfect surfaces with a mixture of detergent and chlorine bleach after someone’s sick, WebMD says. Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 25 Feb. 2024 Disinfect tools easily by dipping them in a 10% bleach solution. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2024 If this doesn't do the trick, mix a solution of 3/4 cup bleach and 1 gallon water. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2024 Never ingest or inject bleach into your body, no matter who may suggest doing that. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 The germiest place in your home and the best way to combat those microbes Make your own sanitizing solution by combining ½ teaspoon liquid bleach with 2⅔ cups water in a spray bottle, and wipe with paper towels or a clean towel that can be laundered in hot water. Casey Barber, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024 Make your own sanitizing solution by combining ½ teaspoon liquid bleach with 2⅔ cups water in a spray bottle, and wipe with paper towels or a clean towel that can be laundered in hot water. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024 The non-toxic formula is safe to use in abundance and doesn’t leave behind a strong bleach or chemical scent. Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bleach.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English blechen, going back to Old English blǣcan, going back to Germanic *blaikjan- (whence also Middle Dutch bleken "to bleach, whiten," Old High German bleichen "to make pale," Old Icelandic bleikja "to bleach"), weak verb derivative of *blaik- "bright" (whence Old English blāc "bright, shining, pale," Old Saxon blēk, Middle Dutch bleec, Old High German bleih, Old Icelandic bleikr), going back to dialectal Indo-European *bhlei̯ǵ-, whence also Old Church Slavic blĭštati sę, bliscati sę "to sparkle, glitter," bliskŭ "flash (of lightning)," Lithuanian blỹksti "to become white or pale," bliskė́ti, bliškė́ti "to shine, sparkle"

Note: See also note at black entry 1.

Noun

derivative of bleach entry 1.

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bleach was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bleach

Cite this Entry

“Bleach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bleach. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bleach

1 of 2 verb
1
: to remove color or stains from
2
: to make whiter or lighter
3
: to grow white : lose color

bleach

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act or process of bleaching
2
: a chemical used in bleaching

More from Merriam-Webster on bleach

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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