English noun: tarnish | |||
1. | tarnish (attribute) discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation | ||
Broader (hypernym) | discoloration, discolouration, stain | ||
English verb: tarnish | |||
1. | tarnish (contact) make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically | ||
Samples | The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air. Her reputation was sullied after the affair with a married man. | ||
Synonyms | defile, maculate, stain, sully | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s something. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | blob, blot, fleck, spot | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | darken | ||