Tarnished Meaning in English
word · lemma: tarnish
ˈtɑɹnɪʃt
TAR-nisht
tˈɑːnɪʃt
TAH-nisht
Definition
If something is tarnished, its surface has lost its shine or it is stained. It can also mean someone’s reputation or image is damaged or less respected.
Usage & Nuances
Often used for metals (silver, brass) when they lose shine, but also very common with reputation or status ('tarnished reputation'). Can be literal or figurative. Mostly used in written or formal speech.
Spanish: deslucido - manchado (reputación, figurado)Portuguese (BR): manchado - desbotado (metálico, figurado)Portuguese (PT): manchado - desbotado (metálico, figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 失去光泽的 - 玷污的 (形象、名誉)Chinese (Traditional): 失去光澤的 - 玷污的 (形象、名譽)Hindi: मलिन - कलंकित (छवि/प्रतिष्ठा, रूपक)Arabic: مشوَّه - ملطخ (سمعة، مجازًا)Bengali: ঝাপসা - কলঙ্কিতRussian: потускневший - запятнанныйJapanese: くすんだ - 傷ついた（評判など）Vietnamese: xỉn màu - bị hoen ố (danh tiếng)Korean: 변색된 - 더럽혀진(명예 등)Turkish: matlaşmış - lekelenmiş (itibar vb.)Urdu: داغدار - ماندہ چمکIndonesian: ternoda - tercemar (reputasi)
Example Sentences
The silver spoon was tarnished after years of use.
basic
His once perfect image is now tarnished.
basic
The tarnished trophy needed to be cleaned.
basic
Her reputation was tarnished by the scandal.
natural
The old coins look a bit tarnished, but they're still valuable.
natural
His record isn’t exactly tarnished, but there are a few mistakes.
natural