greenwashing
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈɡriːnˌwɔːʃɪŋ/
KK: /ˈɡrinˌwɔʃɪŋ/
noun
Definition
The practice of promoting products or policies as environmentally friendly when they are not, often to mislead consumers.
Example
Many companies engage in greenwashing to attract environmentally conscious customers without making real changes.
Conversation
Have you heard about the term greenwashing?
Yeah, it's when companies pretend to be eco-friendly, right?
Exactly! It's so frustrating to see that happening so often.
Totally, it makes it hard to trust their real intentions.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
deception
misrepresentation
hypocrisy
Antonyms
transparency
honesty
authenticity
verb
Definition
To give a false impression of environmental responsibility or to promote an organization or product as environmentally friendly when it is not.
Example
The company was accused of greenwashing after it claimed to be eco-friendly while continuing harmful practices.
Tense Forms
Past: greenwashed
Past Participle: greenwashed
Conversation
Have you noticed how some companies are greenwashing their products lately?
Yeah, it's frustrating when they pretend to be eco-friendly.
Exactly! It's hard to trust what they're really doing for the environment.
Root Explanation
Greenwashing is formed from "green" (referring to the color associated with nature and environmentalism) and "washing" (from the verb "wash", meaning to cleanse or purify). The term describes the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product, essentially 'cleansing' their image to appear more eco-friendly than they are.
Memory Tip
Think of 'green' as representing nature and the environment, and 'washing' as cleansing or improving an image. This helps you remember that 'greenwashing' means making something appear more environmentally friendly than it truly is.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.