tarnished
/ˈtɑː.nɪʃt/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑrnɪʃt] /ˈtɑːr.nɪʃt/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɑrnɪʃt] /ˈtär-nish How to pronounce tarnish (audio)/ (ame, mw)
tarnished — adjective
- tarnishedpositive
- more tarnishedcomparative
- most tarnishedsuperlative
1. having lost its bright finish or clear colour, especially because air, dirt, or
having lost its bright finish or clear colour, especially because air, dirt, or time has affected the metal surface.
By morning, the tarnished silver tray looked grey under the kitchen light.
tarnished + metal object
Kenji found a tarnished coin at the bottom of the old drawer.
The museum kept the tarnished brass bell beside a newly cleaned one.
Even after washing, the spoon still seemed tarnished around the handle.
- dull
broader and more everyday; not limited to metal
- discoloured
focuses on changed colour rather than lost shine
- oxidised
more technical and used for chemical change
- polished
made smooth and bright by rubbing or cleaning
- shiny
bright because it reflects light well
- untarnished
not darkened or dulled on the surface
文法句型
tarnished + metal noun
look tarnished
用法筆記
Used mainly for silver, brass, copper, and similar metals. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes a physical change in the surface, not a damaged public image.
常見錯誤
2. made less admired or trusted because bad behaviour, failure, or shameful news ha
made less admired or trusted because bad behaviour, failure, or shameful news has become known.
After the cheating scandal, the team's once proud image felt tarnished.
figurative: image or reputation
Years of broken promises left the company's name tarnished in town.
The actor returned to work with a tarnished public reputation.
One cruel comment can leave a teacher's record badly tarnished.
- respected
still widely admired or trusted
- honoured
publicly praised or treated with respect
- untarnished
still free from damage to reputation
文法句型
a tarnished reputation
be tarnished by scandal
用法筆記
Usually describes a name, image, record, or reputation after public criticism or disgrace. Distinguish from sense 1: here the damage is figurative and social, not a physical surface change.
常見錯誤
tarnished — verb
- tarnishedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tarnisheds3rd person singular
- tarnisheding-ing form
- tarnishededpast simple
1. to make metal lose its bright surface, or to lose that shine over time.
to make metal lose its bright surface, or to lose that shine over time.
Sea air tarnished the brass lock on the garden gate within months.
tarnish + metal object
Coffee fumes slowly tarnished the silver pot above the cafe stove.
By winter, the cheap chain had tarnished to a dull brown.
Humidity tarnished the trumpet before Ari could pack it away.
文法句型
tarnish + metal object
metal tarnishes
用法筆記
The subject is often air, moisture, dirt, or another physical cause, and the object is usually silver, brass, copper, or another metal surface. Distinguish from sense 2, which damages reputation rather than appearance.
常見錯誤
2. to weaken the good quality, image, or reputation of someone or something.
to weaken the good quality, image, or reputation of someone or something.
The bribery case tarnished the charity's reputation for honest work.
tarnish + reputation
Years of delay tarnished the city's record on building new housing.
The rude exchange tarnished what had been a warm friendship.
False reports tarnished the scientist's name before the facts came out.
文法句型
tarnish + reputation
tarnish + image or name
用法筆記
Usually takes an abstract object such as a reputation, image, name, record, or legacy. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is figurative and can apply to trust, status, or quality as well as to public honour.