whiten

verb

whit·​en ˈ(h)wī-tᵊn How to pronounce whiten (audio)
whitened; whitening ˈ(h)wīt-niŋ How to pronounce whiten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make white or whiter
snow whitened the hills

intransitive verb

: to become white or whiter

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 While some teeth whitening products can help lift away pesky surface stains, LED whitening kits utilize the power of technology to brighten and whiten more effectively. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 May 2024 In that case, using whitening toothpaste (like the Boka Teeth Whitening n-Ha Toothpaste or Marvis Whitening Toothpaste), mouthwash, and over-the-counter teeth whitening devices can help fight against your habit at home. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 May 2024 Buy Now on Amazon: $399.99 Best At-Home Teeth Whitening: Boka Rapid Radiance Whitening Kit Photo : Boka Boka’s recent expansion into whitening products made massive waves in the dental industry. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 8 May 2024 Is a whitening toothpaste safe for sensitive teeth? Isabella Ubaldi, Verywell Health, 19 Apr. 2024 The best whitening toothpastes work by using one of two primary whitening methods: chemical bleaching and physical abrasion. Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2024 Debra was preoccupied with Jennette's appearance, encouraging her to count calories, whiten her teeth and tint her eyelashes starting at 10 years old. Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Pros: More effective than one-step whitening toothpastes. Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 29 Feb. 2024 There is no whitening treatment that will give you permanent results. USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whiten.' 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

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of whiten was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near whiten

Cite this Entry

“Whiten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiten. Accessed 21 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

whiten

verb
whit·​en ˈhwīt-ᵊn How to pronounce whiten (audio)
ˈwīt-
whitened; whitening -ᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce whiten (audio)
-niŋ
: to make or become white or whiter
whitener
-nər
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on whiten

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