The meaning of TARNISH is to dull or destroy the luster of by or as if by air, dust, or dirt : soil, stain. How to use tarnish in a sentence.

1. To lose luster; become discolored: a metal that tarnishes quickly. 2. To become less enjoyable or estimable: Her admiration for the movie's producer quickly tarnished.

TARNISHED definition: 1. If metal is tarnished it has become less bright or a different colour: 2. made to seem less…. Learn more.

to grow dull or discolored; lose luster. to become sullied. a tarnished coating. tarnished condition; discoloration; alteration of the luster of a metal. a stain or blemish.

While gold is perceived as the currency of central bankers, silver is tarnished by its less salubrious links to hot money.

Apr 30, 2025 · What Does 'Tarnished' Mean? Tarnished is an adjective and sometimes a verb in its past tense, originating from the noun tarnish. It primarily describes something that has lost its shine or …

Definition of tarnish verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Jul 19, 2025 · (figurative, by extension, of one's reputation, name or word) Sullied or dishonored.

discolor. to diminish or destroy the purity of; stain; sully: The scandal tarnished his reputation. v.i. to grow dull or discolored; lose luster. to become sullied. n. Metallurgy a tarnished coating. Metallurgy …

Some foods will tarnish silver. His actions tarnished [= sullied] the family's good name. The scandal tarnished his reputation.