Blacken - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Blacken means to make or become dark or black, often due to burning, staining, or discoloration. It can also describe making something seem worse or more negative. Example: Smoke blackened the walls.
Definition:
To make or become black or dark in color, or to tarnish someone's reputation.
Synonyms:
darken, tarnish, stain, sully
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
brighten, whiten
Common Collocations:
blacken the sky, blacken a reputation, blacken with soot
Derivatives:
blackened, blackening
Usage Tips:
Use "blacken" for physical darkening or metaphorically to describe damaging someone's reputation.
Common Phrases:
blacken someone's name, blacken the sky, blacken with anger
Etymology:
Derived from Old English "blæc," meaning "black," with the suffix "-en" indicating causation.
Examples:
- 1. The smoke began to blacken the white walls of the kitchen.
- 2. He tried to blacken her reputation with false accusations.
- 3. The chef will blacken the fish before serving it.
- 4. Over time, pollution can blacken even the cleanest buildings.