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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What are some natural alternatives to bleach for whitening clothes? Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 12 July 2025 Prizes were presented at a special awards night and included a three-night stay in Athens for the winner, Hemingways, a cocktail bar, as well as a teeth whitening voucher worth £425 ($578). Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 10 July 2025 Original price: $20.99 Crest Pro-Health gum detoxify toothpaste helps reverse gingivitis and whiten your teeth at the same time. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 3 July 2025 How to use: Step one: Brush your teeth to remove any debris and prepare for whitening. Daley Quinn, Glamour, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for whiten

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

Cite this Entry

“Whiten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiten. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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