tarnish

Plural: tarnishes

Noun

discoloration of metal surface caused by oxidation
Oxidation or discoloration, especially of a decorative metal exposed to air.

Verb

Verb Forms: tarnished, tarnishing, tarinishes

To dull the luster or shine of; to diminish the purity of.
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
- "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air"
To oxidize or discolor due to oxidation.
To compromise, damage, soil, or sully.
To lose its lustre or attraction; to become dull.
To use a sign, image, expression, etc. sufficiently close to a trademarked one that it brings disrepute to it.

Examples

Careful storage of silver will prevent it from tarnishing.
He is afraid that she will tarnish his reputation if he disagrees with her.
He worried that a poor play might TARNISH his otherwise perfect Words With Friends score.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English ternysshen, from Old French terniss-, stem of ternir (“to make dim, make wan”), borrowed from Old High German *ternen, tarnen, from Proto-West Germanic *darnijan (“to conceal”). Doublet of dern and darn.

Synonyms

defile, maculate, stain, sully

Scrabble Score: 10

tarnish: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
tarnish: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
tarnish: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

tarnish: valid Words With Friends Word