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

• blanch
• bleach
• blench
• decolorize
• dull
• fade
• pale
• snow
• wash out

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

These ingredients are proven to effectively whiten teeth while still being as safe and gentle on tooth enamel as baking soda.13 These products may come in the form of toothpaste, whitening pens or strips, or whitening trays that might include an LED light for further activation. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 27 Mar. 2025

Moon Platinum Pro Glow Teeth Whitening Device, $130 Rather than just employing blue light for whitening, Moon’s latest device also combines red and yellow light meant to give users healthy gums and better breath. —Emily Burns, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024

Common additives include: Titanium dioxide, a whitening agent added to products like skim milk. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

Directors and producers coached her to use whitening creams. —Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025

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