tarnish

Meaning

Noun

Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.

Verb

1. To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
2. To compromise, damage, soil, or sully.
3. To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.
4. To use a sign, image, expression, etc. sufficiently close to a trademarked one that it brings disrepute to it.

Synonyms

stain

sully

soil

blemish

blot

taint

discolor

discolour

rust

smirch

decolorize

maculate

dirty

dreariness

darken

colourlessness

smear

dull

dullness

defile

wanness

smudge

spoil

spot

sullied

uncleanness

undermine

be spotted

decolour

be dirty

be stained

decolourization

become discolored

decolouration

make turbid

be soiled

be sullied

be unclean

black

decolourizing

blast

blear

canker

contaminate

corrode

corrosion

damage

dazzle

decolourize

dimness

discredit

disgrace

disparage

disturb

fade

injure

mar

mark

oxidation

oxidize

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtɑːnɪʃ/

Etymology

From Middle English ternysshen, a borrowing from Old French terniss-, stem of ternir (“to make dim, make wan”), borrowed from Frankish *darnijan (“to conceal”). Doublet of dern and darn.