White — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of White
White (adjective)
- having the color of new snow or milk; specifically, of the color white
- light or pale in color
- free from color, clear, transparent
White (noun)
- the achromatic object color of greatest lightness characteristically perceived to belong to objects that reflect diffusely nearly all incident energy throughout the visible spectrum
- one that is or approaches white in color
- white clothing —often used in plural
White (verb)
- whiten
White (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
lacking an addition of color
"dazzlingly white paint on the walls of the new house"
-
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
"told a little white lie to spare her feelings"
-
free from sin
"the tendency to see everything and everyone as morally black or white"
Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for White
The most common words with a similar meaning to White:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for White
Words with the opposite meaning of White:
Near Antonyms of White
Word Forms of White
Inflections: whiter, whitest, whites, whited, whiting
Derived words: whitish (adjective)
Origin & Etymology of White
Middle English whit, white, going back to Old English hwīt "white, bright, shining," going back to Germanic *hwīta- (whence also Old Frisian hwīt, hwītt, wīt, wit "white," Old Saxon hwīt "white, bright," Middle Dutch wit, witt "white," Middle Low German wit, witte, Old High German hwīz, wīz, Old Icelandic hvítr, Gothic ƕeits), probably going back to Indo-European *ḱu̯ei̯t-nó-, whence also, with zero-grade, Sanskrit śvítnaḥ "whitish," and without suffixal -n- Sanskrit áśvait "(it) brightened," śvitāná- "brightening," śvetáḥ "white, bright," Avestan spaēta-, Old Church Slavic světŭ "light, radiance," svěštǫ, světiti "to shine, give light," Lithuanian šviečiù, šviẽsti "to shine, shine a light (for)"; (sense 2c) from the stereotypical and racist association of good character with northern European descent; (sense 6) from the association of white with royalist and counterrevolutionary causes, perhaps originally from its use in the cockades and flags of the Bourbon dynasty in France and the Jacobites in Britain
First known use: before 12th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for White
- CEFR level: A1 English Vocabulary — Page 20
- Topics: Clothes & Appearance
Frequently Asked Questions about White
What does "White" mean?
"White" means having the color of new snow or milk; specifically, of the color white. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: having the color of new snow or milk; specifically, of the color white. It has 3 distinct senses.
What is another word for "White"?
Other words for "White" include colorless, tintless, uncolored, undyed, unpainted, unstained, anodyne and benign. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "White" you intend.
What are different ways to say "White"?
There are 76 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "White". Common alternatives include colorless, tintless, uncolored, undyed, unpainted, unstained, anodyne, benign, harmless and hurtless.
What is the opposite of "White"?
Antonyms of "White" include colored, colorized, dyed, hued, painted, pigmented, stained and tinct. Near antonyms include colorful, multicolored, polychromatic and polychrome.
How do you use "White" in a sentence?
Examples of "White" in a sentence: "dazzlingly white paint on the walls of the new house"; "told a little white lie to spare her feelings"; "the tendency to see everything and everyone as morally black or white".
Is "White" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"White" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.
Is "White" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As an A1-level word, "White" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.
How do you pronounce "White"?
"White" is pronounced /ˈ(h)wīt/.