blanch

verb

ˈblanch 

blanched; blanching; blanches

transitive verb

: to take the color out of

Age had blanched his hair.

: such as

a

cooking : to scald or parboil in water or steam in order to remove the skin from, whiten, or stop enzymatic action in (such as food for freezing)

blanch the asparagus in salted boiling water

b

: to bleach by excluding light

blanch the leaves of a plant

c

: to make ashen or pale

fear blanches the cheek

intransitive verb

: to become white or pale (as from shock or fear)

His face blanched with horror.

—often used figuratively to describe a reaction of shock or dismay that makes someone unwilling or reluctant to proceed

Civilians also saw benefits to the system but blanched when talk then included references to $300-plus user fees.

—Dan Fales

… the managers of the companies blanched at the expenditures necessary to retool factories.

—Charles C. Mann

blancher noun

Synonyms of blanch

• bleach
• fade
• brighten
• whiten

Examples of blanch in a Sentence

Blanch the potatoes before slicing them.

a cup of blanched almonds

She blanched and remained silent when the store owner accused her of taking the money.

Recent Examples on the Web

Harris also shows us the burn scars that ripple up Racine’s arm and across Anaia’s face, textured skin that makes strangers blanch, to which Racine lashes out defensively. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026

After blanching the rhubarb, pack it tightly into a freezer-safe container, and cover completely with the cooled syrup. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026

It’s brined, blanched, glazed, dry-aged, fried, grilled, then basted in the wok with oil; the entire process takes five days to prepare. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

The key is to blanch it before freezing, which will better preserve its flavor and texture. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English blaunchen, blanchen "to make white, whitewash, whiten (almonds) by parboiling them to remove the skins," borrowed from Anglo-French blanchir, blauncher "to turn white, whiten" (also continental Old French blanchir), derivative of blanc "white" — more at blank entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for blanch

• branch
• cranch
• manche
• ranch
• stanch
• tranche
• avalanche

Kids Definition

blanch

verb

ˈblanch 

1

a

: to take the color out of : bleach

b

: to scald in order to remove the skin from or whiten

blanch almonds

2

: to become white or pale

blancher noun