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 of whiten

• bleach
• fade
• brighten

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

Teeth whitening products have been commercialized for decades. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026

Oxygen Bleach Oxygen bleach, such as sodium percarbonate, is a safe and effective alternative to chlorine bleach for whitening towels. — Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 28 Oct. 2026

Brytly is the first nonprescription whitening eye drop to contain apraclonidine, an active ingredient already used in prescription medications. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Bleached flour is treated with chemical agents to speed up the whitening and aging process, while unbleached flour whitens naturally over time. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 21 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for whiten

• brighten
• chitin
• frighten
• heighten
• lighten
• phaeton
• tighten
• titan
• triton
• enlighten
• exciton
• periphyton

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